Lyla Lindsey
Australia has seen a surge in far-right activity in recent years, with neo-Nazi groups making public appearances and recruiting members across the country. In response, the Australian government has introduced laws banning the Nazi salute and the display or sale of Nazi symbols associated with terror groups, such as the swastika and the double-sig rune associated with the Schutzstaffel (SS) paramilitary group. These laws make it an offense punishable by up to 12 months in prison. While there have been calls to ban neo-Nazi groups and membership in white supremacist organizations, these groups are attempting to exploit loopholes in the law by forming political parties. The Australian National Socialist Party (ANSP), a minor Neo-Nazi party formed in 1962, was one such group that faced police raids and arrests in 1964. Today, neo-Nazis are leveraging anti-lockdown protests and exploiting loopholes in anti-vilification laws to gain prominence and pursue political power.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nazi symbols banned | Swastika, SS sig runes, Nazi salute |
| Nazi symbols allowed | None |
| Legislation | Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Bill |
| Punishment | Up to 12 months in prison |
| Neo-Nazi groups | National Socialist Network, National Socialist Party of Australia, Australian National Socialist Party, Australian Nationalist Workers' Party |
| Neo-Nazi leaders | Thomas Sewell, Jacob Hersant, Arthur Smith, Ted Cawthron, Don Lindsay, Robert Pope, Eric Wenberg |
| Anti-Semitic incidents | Increase reported following the Israel-Gaza war |
| Public opinion | Most Australians want Nazi symbols banned |
| Jewish community | Calls for membership of white supremacist groups to be banned |
| Extremism experts | Neo-Nazis exploiting loopholes in the law |
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What You'll Learn
Nazi symbols banned in Australia
Australia is taking steps to ban Nazi symbols to curb the rise of far-right extremist activity in the country. The Australian government has introduced a bill to ban the trade and public display of Nazi symbols, such as the swastika, Schutzstaffel (SS) symbols, and other insignia associated with Nazi ideology. This includes their use on flags, armbands, T-shirts, and online publications. The bill also seeks to prevent the sale of clothing, items, or memorabilia featuring these symbols.
The proposed ban aims to address the growing presence of neo-Nazi groups in Australia, who have been actively recruiting members and spreading their message at protests and rallies. These groups have caused concern among the public, particularly the Jewish community, and have been labelled a threat to democracy. The ban is intended to send a clear message that Australia stands united against displays of hate and intolerance, and that there is no place for symbols that glorify the horrors of the Holocaust.
While most Australian states have already implemented separate bans on Nazi symbols, the new bill aims to ensure there are no loopholes left to exploit. It also makes exceptions for the "legitimate" display of the swastika in religious, academic, literary, scientific, journalistic, and artistic contexts, as well as for educational purposes.
The ban on Nazi symbols in Australia follows similar restrictions in European countries, particularly Germany and Austria, where swastikas and SS runes are considered unconstitutional, and their display or sale is illegal. Similar bans also exist in France, Latvia, Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Lithuania, and Hungary. However, no such bans are currently in place in the United States, Canada, or New Zealand.
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Neo-Nazi presence in Australia
Neo-Nazi groups have been increasingly active in Australia in recent years. The National Socialist Network (NSN), one of the country's largest neo-Nazi groups, has been particularly prominent. In 2023, members of the NSN marched through Melbourne, performing Nazi salutes and spreading their message at anti-immigration and anti-transgender rights rallies. The group has also been known to target churches, universities, and public places with homophobic propaganda and has been linked to attempts to infiltrate mainstream political parties.
The Australian government has taken some steps to curb the rise of neo-Nazism in the country. In 2023, legislators introduced a bill to ban Nazi symbols, and the Australian Federal Police have prevented a former soldier from travelling to fight for a far-right paramilitary group in Ukraine. However, neo-Nazi groups continue to find ways to operate and recruit new members, including through online channels and by exploiting loopholes in the law.
In April 2025, it was revealed that neo-Nazis in Australia were quietly forming a new political party, aiming to reach 1500 members to apply for official recognition. The group's leader, Thomas Sewell, has been on bail with strict conditions barring him from contacting other NSN members, but he has continued to promote his extremist ideology through online channels.
The activities of neo-Nazi groups in Australia have sparked widespread concern and condemnation. Jewish groups and members of the community have called for membership in neo-Nazi groups to be outlawed, and politicians have spoken out against the intimidation and hatred promoted by these extremists. Despite their relatively small numbers, neo-Nazis in Australia have been successful in gaining media attention and spreading their message of hate.
While the Australian government has taken some steps to address the issue, there are ongoing calls for more comprehensive action to be taken to combat the rise of neo-Nazism in the country and prevent the normalisation of extremist ideologies.
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Australian National Socialist Party
The Australian National Socialist Party (ANSP) was a minor Australian neo-Nazi party formed in 1962 by University of Adelaide physics student Ted Cawthron and Sydney council worker Don Lindsay. The party was vigorously anti-communist and advocated for the perpetuation of the White Australia policy, a defensive approach to Asia, and the total annexation of New Guinea. Initially, the party consisted only of Cawthron and Lindsay, but in July 1963, they were joined by Arthur Smith, a prominent figure known for his outward anti-Semitism and aggressive tactics. Smith became the leader of the ANSP and managed to increase membership by merging with other white supremacist groups in Melbourne.
In 1964, the headquarters of the ANSP were raided by police, and the party began to decline. Smith was imprisoned, and Robert Pope, formerly of the Australian National Renaissance Party, became the acting leader. However, the party's membership continued to collapse, and by late 1964, it was essentially inactive. Smith was expelled from the party while in prison, and in 1965, he began attempting to relaunch it. In 1967, Cawthron and several other members formed a competing group, the National Socialist Party of Australia (NSPA), which rejected the more radical image of the ANSP.
The NSPA, led by Cawthron, explicitly rejected the "jackbooted 'Nazi' image" associated with Smith's ANSP and focused on his criminal convictions. The NSPA attracted other Australian national socialists who were disenchanted with Smith's leadership, and in May 1968, the two parties merged, with Smith's successor, Eric Wenberg, joining the NSPA leadership. The NSPA ran three Senate teams for the 1970 Senate election, with the Queensland team receiving the most votes at 10,000 (1.51%). However, by 1972, the party was collapsing due to infighting and the involvement of members in a bomb attack on the Communist Party of Australia's Queensland offices.
In recent years, neo-Nazi groups have been increasingly active in Australia, with attempts to form a new political party to exploit loopholes in anti-vilification laws. While there have been calls to ban neo-Nazi groups and membership in Australia, the focus has primarily been on prohibiting the display and trade of Nazi symbols, such as the swastika.
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Australian neo-Nazis in politics
Australia has witnessed a surge in far-right activity, with neo-Nazi groups making public appearances at rallies and protests to spread their message and recruit members. These groups have been described as a national security threat, and there have been calls to ban neo-Nazi organisations and their symbols. While there is no dedicated legislation outlawing neo-Nazi groups, Australian neo-Nazis are attempting to enter the political sphere by forming a political party.
In recent years, neo-Nazis have become increasingly active in Australia, participating in anti-lockdown protests and holding demonstrations at state parliaments. They have also been known to disrupt Anzac Day commemorations and target political offices, causing concern among Jewish groups and prompting calls for membership in white supremacist organisations to be prohibited.
The National Socialist Network (NSN), led by Thomas Sewell, is a prominent neo-Nazi group in Australia. Sewell and other members have been arrested and faced legal charges for their involvement in rallies and violent offences. Despite these setbacks, the NSN has launched a new website and is directing people through Telegram channels to join their aspiring political party.
To form an official federal political party in Australia, a group must have 1,500 verified members. The NSN is attempting to exploit legal loopholes and rebrand itself as a group of "everyday Australians" frustrated with "woke" politics. They aim to challenge the swastika ban by incorporating it into their organisation as "political communication".
While neo-Nazi groups have a relatively small following in Australia, extremism experts warn that they have been successful in eclipsing other far-right groups. The potential entry of neo-Nazis into politics has been described as a serious and frightening development, despite their low chances of electoral success.
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Public opinion on Nazi symbols
In June 2023, the Australian government introduced a bill to ban the display and trade of Nazi symbols, such as the swastika and the Schutzstaffel (SS) insignia. This bill was introduced in response to a surge in far-right activity and a rise in anti-Semitic incidents in the country. The Attorney General, Mark Dreyfus, stated that the legislation sends a clear message that Australia condemns the glorification of the Holocaust and terrorist acts associated with Nazi ideology.
The proposed ban has been supported by various individuals and groups, including Dvir Abramovich, chairman of the Australian Anti-Defamation Commission. Abramovich described the presence of neo-Nazis and their symbols on Australian streets as traumatizing for Holocaust survivors and their families. He welcomed the proposed ban as a step in the right direction to counter hardcore bigots and protect democratic values. Jewish groups, who have been targeted by neo-Nazi activities, have also expressed concern about the increasing activity of neo-Nazi groups and have called for membership in these groups to be outlawed.
On the other hand, some Australians have expressed concerns about the ban's potential impact on free speech and academic freedom. Exemptions to the ban have been made for the legitimate display of the swastika in religious, artistic, literary, scientific, journalistic, and academic contexts. These exemptions aim to preserve the use of the swastika in its original religious and cultural contexts, such as in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, where it holds significant meaning.
While the ban aims to curb the spread of hatred and violence associated with Nazi symbolism, there are ongoing debates about the effectiveness of such measures in combating far-right extremism. Some neo-Nazi groups in Australia have also attempted to exploit loopholes in the law by forming political parties and rebranding themselves as "everyday Australians" to gain traction and spread their extremist ideologies.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Nazi party is not banned in Australia. However, there are laws banning the Nazi salute and the display or sale of symbols associated with terror groups. These laws were introduced in June and passed in December 2023, following a rise in antisemitic incidents after the Israel-Gaza war.
The law makes it an offence punishable by up to 12 months in prison to publicly perform the Nazi salute or display the Nazi swastika or the double-sig rune associated with the Schutzstaffel (SS) paramilitary group. The sale and trade of these symbols are also prohibited.
There have been calls to ban neo-Nazi groups and membership in Australia, particularly from Jewish community groups and politicians. There is also bipartisan backlash to stunts pulled by neo-Nazi groups, which could lead to a national crackdown on far-right extremism.
Yes, there have been several neo-Nazi groups in Australia, including the National Socialist Network (NSN) and the Australian National Socialist Party (ANSP). These groups have a history of public appearances and recruitment drives, as well as disruptions at political rallies and Anzac Day commemorations.
