He blamed offensive chants and the setting off of flares to a group of “troublemakers” who joined part-way through the march toward the Opera House. Mr McKenna said “there was intelligence that that may occur” ahead of the rally on October 9. Camera Icon The Opera House protest is being looked at during the inquiry. Mr Lancaster acknowledged the Sydney Opera House protest and a neo-Nazi protest in front of parliament on November 8, 2025 had both been “critical event(s)” for the rise of Jewish hate in Australia. Camera Icon The Opera House protest has been called ‘unfathomable’.