Aboriginal and Palestinian activist allegedly wields a sledgehammer and a taser during Melbourne home invasion

By PAUL SHAPIRO, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 08:23, 25 May 2026 | Updated: 08:23, 25 May 2026 An Aboriginal activist linked to Camp Sovereignty has been accused of wielding a sledgehammer and a taser during an alleged home invasion.  Kane Wandin fronted Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Friday charged with home invasion, among other offences. Wandin, 26, was on bail when he allegedly stormed a Seaford home, near Frankston in Melbourne's south-east, on May 1 while using a sledgehammer to assault a person. Wandin, who was also allegedly armed with a taser, was additionally charged with intentionally causing injury and stealing two scooters, three packets of Benson & Hedges cigarettes, and $650 in cash in an alleged haul police claim totalled $5,000. Wandin - who works for the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, according to their social media - was also charged with assault and breaching bail by not residing at a designated address and committing an indictable offence (namely, the suspected home invasion). Additional charges included resisting an emergency service worker on duty, as well as threatening to kill a person in the city's south-east on March 6. Wandin, who identifies as Aboriginal and appears to be a public supporter of the Palestinian movement, was put into custody after he was charged on May 1 with the various alleged offences. His Indigenous heritage was considered as a potential factor in a bail application on Friday. Kane Wandin fronted Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Friday charged with home invasion 'The fact that you're an Aboriginal person must be taken into account,' said Magistrate Jill Prior, who uses they/them pronouns. 'It includes having regard to historical ongoing systemic factors resulting in over-representation, risk of harm and trauma, the importance of maintaining and supporting the development, connection to culture, kinship, family, elders, country and anything which arises in relation to your history. 'The impact of trauma and generational trauma... any experiences of socioeconomic disadvantage, ill health... there is no shortage of guidance of matters which must be taken into account in considering your bail.' Magistrate Prior said Wandin's heritage gave him an 'exceptional circumstances' case to be released on bail. 'Your issues that arise as a result of your Aboriginality are important and salutary recognition of cultural connection plays a significant role in rehabilitating an offender of Aboriginal heritage,' they said. 'The pivotal factor diverting such an offender from entrenched offending behaviour.' Magistrate Prior said that Wandin allegedly committed 'very serious offending'. 'Offending that, if you are found guilty, undoubtedly you will be sentenced to a term of imprisonment,' they added. Wandin claims to be an Aboriginal rights activist and seems to be linked to Camp Sovereignty 'I have come to the view that the fact you are somebody who's an Aboriginal person with family support, treatment available... and support of other community members gives rise to a finding you have established exceptional circumstances.' However, despite this, Magistrate Prior refused Wandin's application for bail, and did not provide a detailed reason beyond the 'serious' nature of the charges. Wandin was remanded in custody to next face court for the home invasion charge on July 27.  Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.