Leslie Massey
Australia has a long history of fascist and far-right groups and individuals. In recent years, the far-right has become a resurgent force across the globe, resulting in populist parties securing electoral victories, political groups marching on the streets, and acts of right-wing terrorism. The far-right in Australia has cycled through many enemies, including Islam, the media, Jews, elites, and African gangs, but their biggest opponent remains themselves due to constant infighting, division, ego, and lack of leadership. An example of this is the United Patriots Front (UPF), which saw its leader, Shermon Burgess, hand over leadership to Blair Cottrell in 2015. Cottrell planned to go mainstream with the UPF and announced a political party, Fortitude, which failed to garner enough support to register.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fierce infighting | Islam, the media, Jews, the elites, African gangs |
| Lack of leadership | Shermon Burgess, Blair Cottrell, Fraser Anning |
| Failure to unite | Anti-Israel, pro-Israel |
| Failure to gain support | Blair Cottrell's political party, Fortitude |
| Failure to gain mainstream acceptance | Anti-Semitism |
| Far-right groups | Radical-Nationalism, Neo-Nazism, Populist-Monarchism, Radical-Populism, Nationalist Australian Alternative, Australian Traditionalism, New National Action |
| Violent groups | Southern Cross Hammerskins, Crazy Whiteboys |
| Far-right parties | National Socialist Party of Australia (NSPA), Dingoes |
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What You'll Learn
Fierce infighting, ego and lack of leadership
The far-right in Australia has been plagued by fierce infighting, ego, and a lack of leadership, which has ultimately been its downfall. The movement has struggled to unite under a common cause, with members cycling through various enemies over the years, including Islam, the media, Jews, elites, and African gangs. This has led to constant division and infighting, preventing any real progress or influence.
One of the biggest ideological clashes within the far-right has been the issue of Israel. Some nationalists celebrate Israel as a precedent for single-ethnicity states, while others blame Jews for faults in the economy and media. This division has played out publicly, with clashes between prominent far-right figures Neil Erikson and Avi Yemini, who represent these opposing views. Erikson is a self-proclaimed "troll" who gained infamy for harassing a former senator, while Yemini led the only far-right party to contest the Victoria state election. Their conflict demonstrates the deep divisions within the far-right that hinder any potential for unity or widespread support.
The far-right has also struggled with leadership issues, which have further exacerbated their problems. In 2015, Shermon Burgess, a far-right leader, stepped down from his position in the United Patriots Front, passing the leadership to Blair Cottrell. Cottrell aimed to take the movement mainstream, forming a political party called Fortitude. However, his efforts fell flat, with the party failing to gain enough support to register officially. Cottrell faced further embarrassment when he was booed off stage at a rally in Melbourne, highlighting his lack of appeal even among far-right supporters.
The far-right's attempts to gain mainstream acceptance have been repeatedly thwarted by their own actions. While they briefly found some success in connecting with the Reclaim Australia movement, presenting themselves as "normal" and "Aussie larrikins," this image was quickly shattered. Instances such as a St Kilda rally participant performing the Nazi salute were widely circulated, damaging their public image and exposing their extremist tendencies.
The movement has also been characterized by ego and infighting, with various groups and individuals vying for power and attention. The failure to cooperate and the constant clashes have prevented the far-right from gaining any significant traction or influence in Australian politics. Despite their efforts, the far-right in Australia remains marginalized, with their biggest obstacle being their inability to unite and present a cohesive front.
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Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism in Australia is the manifestation of hostility, violence, prejudice, or discrimination against the Jewish people or Judaism as a religious, ethnic, or racial group. Antisemitism in Australia is perpetrated by a variety of groups, and it has manifested in attacks on Australian Jews and their religious and communal institutions, in antisemitic publications, and in efforts to prevent Jewish immigration. Antisemitism has existed in Australia since the 18th century, but it became more pronounced in the late 19th century, rising further in the 20th and early 21st centuries. According to the Anti-Defamation League's 2014 Global100 survey, an estimated 14% of Australians held antisemitic views, rising to 20% in 2025.
The history of antisemitism in Australia is long and dark. It has been fuelled by various factors, including Australian nationalism, the campaign for federation, and fears of an influx of Jewish refugees fleeing pogroms in Russia. During the 1950s and 1960s, locally organised antisemitism emerged, with groups such as the Douglas Social Credit movement and the Australian League of Rights promoting antisemitic libels. The 1967 Arab-Israeli war also led to an increase in anti-Israel sentiment on the far left, particularly on university campuses. This sentiment was heavily influenced by Soviet propaganda and resulted in the publication of antisemitic booklets and images.
In recent years, there has been a surge in antisemitic incidents in Australia, with a proliferation of far-right and Islamist groups promoting antisemitism. The far-left has also contributed to this rise by adopting traditionally right-wing rhetoric and symbols, such as the swastika, to disseminate antisemitism. This has led to attacks on synagogues, vandalism, and efforts to prevent Jewish immigration.
Several organisations track antisemitic activities in Australia, including the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, which publishes an annual list of reported incidents. The Australian Human Rights Commission has also spoken out against antisemitism, recognising the impact it has on the Jewish community and the broader social fabric of the country. Prime ministers and former prime ministers have also condemned antisemitism, with six out of seven of Australia's living former prime ministers signing a statement against the rise of antisemitism in 2023.
While there has been some progress in addressing antisemitism in Australia, the issue remains pervasive and requires a firm and decisive response from authorities to protect the Jewish community and uphold the values of peaceful diversity.
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Ideological clashes
The far-right in Australia has been characterised by fierce infighting, ego, and a lack of leadership, with the movement cycling through various enemies over the years, including Islam, the media, Jews, elites, and African gangs. The inability to unite has been their biggest weakness. One of the most significant ideological clashes within the far-right in Australia is the divide between those who are pro-Israel and those who are anti-Israel. Some nationalists celebrate Israel as a precedent for the creation of other single-ethnicity states, while others blame Jews for problems in the economy and media. This divide has played out on far-right Facebook pages and groups, with clashes between prominent figures Neil Erikson and Avi Yemini.
The far-right in Australia can be divided into several groups, each with its own ideological clashes. Radical-Nationalists are characterised by their doctrinal references to Australian labour, republican, and nationalist heritage, and their rejection of imperial and American-alliance influences. Neo-Nazis, including white supremacists and skinheads, are directly influenced by international neo-Nazism. Populist-Monarchists advocate for a populist interpretation of the Australian Constitution and support a depersonalised monarchy. Finally, Radical-Populists, like the Dingoes, who have been described as "young, educated, and alternative right", self-identify as "politically incorrect larrikins".
The United Patriots Front (UPF), led by Shermon Burgess and later Blair Cottrell, provides an example of the infighting within the far-right. After taking over leadership, Cottrell announced the formation of a political party, Fortitude, which failed to gain traction and folded. Cottrell attempted to expand his influence by attending rallies on various issues, but faced backlash, such as being booed off stage at a rally in Melbourne. While he gained notoriety from his appearance on triple j's Hack Live, he failed to translate that into tangible support.
The far-right has also struggled to distance itself from neo-Nazism, which has limited its ability to appeal to the mainstream. For instance, during a bus trip to a rally in Melbourne, members of a Sydney far-right group realised they were travelling with neo-Nazis and asked them to leave the bus. However, this priority of maintaining a distance from neo-Nazism seems to have faded, as evidenced by a participant performing the Nazi salute at a recent rally in St Kilda.
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Australian nationalism
According to political scientist and far-right extremist James Saleam, the Australian far-right can be divided into four groups: radical-nationalism, neo-Nazism, populist-monarchism, and radical-populism. The first group is defined by its doctrinal references to Australian labour, republican, and nationalist heritage, and its rejection of imperial or internationalist influences. The second group is influenced by international neo-Nazism, including white supremacists and skinheads. The third group advocates for a populist interpretation of the Australian Constitution and a depersonalized monarchy. The fourth group is not specified by Saleam but may include other far-right groups such as the Nationalist Australian Alternative, Australian Traditionalism, and the New National Action.
The far-right in Australia has struggled to unite due to ideological differences, particularly regarding their stance on Israel and Jews. Some nationalists celebrate Israel as a precedent for single-ethnicity states, while others blame Jews for economic and media faults. This division has been evident in the clash between prominent nationalists Neil Erikson and Avi Yemini. Erikson is a self-proclaimed "troll" who harassed a former senator, while Yemini led the only far-right party to contest the Victoria state election.
The United Patriots Front (UPF), led by Blair Cottrell, attempted to go mainstream with a political party called Fortitude, which failed to gain enough support to register. Cottrell attended rallies and appeared on Triple J's Hack Live, but failed to translate his notoriety into a following. Other far-right groups in Australia include the Dingoes, who have been described as "young, educated, and alternative right", and the Crazy Whiteboys, a violent anti-Asian, anti-Semitic, and anti-African group founded in Melbourne in 2009.
The impact of these far-right groups has been limited by their inability to cooperate and their divisive nature, ensuring their biggest enemy remains themselves.
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Global links to far-right extremists
Australia, a country often seen as a bastion of Western values and democracy in the Asia-Pacific region, has not been immune to the rise of far-right extremism that has swept through many parts of the world in recent years. While the country has a proud history of multiculturalism and social cohesion, there are growing concerns about the influence of far-right ideology and the potential for it to lead to division and even violence.
The far-right in Australia has historically been a fringe movement, but it has gained a degree of mainstream attention and support in recent times. One of the key factors contributing to this has been the emergence of global far-right extremist networks and the ability of these groups to connect, communicate, and organize online. These networks have allowed Australian far-right groups to forge links with like-minded individuals and organizations overseas, sharing propaganda, tactics, and even funding.
One of the most prominent global far-right extremist networks is the so-called "alt-right," a loosely connected movement that gained particular prominence in the United States during the 2016 presidential election. Australian far-right groups have embraced alt-right ideologies and terminology, including their focus on "white genocide" and the belief that Western civilization is under threat from multiculturalism, political correctness, and social justice warriors. Alt-right figures from the US and Europe, such as Richard Spencer and Milo Yiannopoulos, have also gained a following in Australia, with some even making speaking tours to the country.
Another global far-right movement that has influenced Australia is the "identitarian" movement, which originated in France and has since spread to other parts of Europe and beyond. This movement advocates for the preservation of what they see as traditional European culture and values, and opposes multiculturalism and immigration, particularly from Muslim-majority countries. Identitarian ideas and symbolism have been adopted by some Australian far-right groups, who see themselves as part of a global struggle to defend "Western civilization."
Online platforms and social media have played a crucial role in facilitating these global connections and allowing far-right extremists to bypass traditional media outlets. Websites, message boards, and social media platforms have become echo chambers where extremist views are reinforced and amplified, and where Australian far-right groups can connect with their international counterparts. This has contributed to a sense of international solidarity among far-right extremists and has helped to spread their message to a wider audience.
The global links of Australia's far-right have important implications for the country's social and political landscape. They contribute to a growing polarization and normalization of extremist views, and provide a potential avenue for the radicalization of vulnerable individuals. As such, it is important for policymakers, law enforcement, and civil society to be aware of these global connections and to take steps to counter their influence, while also protecting freedom of speech and democratic values.
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Frequently asked questions
The far-right in Australia has been divided and conquered by themselves due to fierce infighting, ego, and a lack of leadership. There are also ideological clashes between the different strands of the far-right in Australia, such as whether to be pro or anti-Israel, and whether to be anti-Semitic or not.
One example is the leadership change in the United Patriots Front (UPF) in 2015, when Shermon Burgess handed over leadership to Blair Cottrell. Cottrell's political party, Fortitude, folded due to a lack of support. Cottrell was also booed off stage at a rally in Melbourne in 2016. Additionally, there was a clash between two prominent far-right figures, Neil Erikson and Avi Yemini, which highlighted the divisions within the far-right community.
According to political scientist James Saleam, the Australian far-right can be divided into four groups: Radical-Nationalism, Neo-Nazism, Populist-Monarchism, and Radical-Populism. Other notable groups include the Dingoes, a group of young, educated, alternative right-wingers, and Freemen on the Land (FOTL) and Sovereign Citizens, which have their roots in American financial crises of the 1980s.
