The Australian government has officially banned the neo-Nazi group National Socialist Network, also known as White Australia, listing it as a prohibited hate group under legislation enacted following the Bondi terror attacks. The designation makes activities such as supporting, funding, training, recruiting, and joining the group a criminal offense, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Official Announcement and Immediate Effects
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced that the listing would take effect at midnight on Friday. He warned that anyone participating in rallies associated with these groups or linked to individuals connected to them would be "taking a risk." Burke emphasized that while the law cannot eliminate bigoted ideologies, it prevents the group from organizing and meeting, and may deter future "horrific bigoted rallies." He stated, "It sends a clear message to people who believe in racial supremacy that their views have no place in Australia."
Group's Attempt to Disband
The National Socialist Network had declared it would disband hours before the legislation was introduced during a special parliamentary session in January. However, Burke noted that the group instead "phoenixed," with members continuing their operations. He condemned the group's targeting of various communities, including Jewish, Muslim, Asian, and First Nations people, all driven by white supremacist ideology. "It's been made clear today that under Australian law they are now a banned group," Burke added.
Second Group Listed Under New Laws
This is the second group to be listed under the new hate laws, following the Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir. Both listings were made on the advice of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). The legislation allows the government to use regulations to capture groups that have phoenixed, rather than requiring a separate listing. Burke explained that the principle for using this regulation would be based on whether the group is judged to be a continuation of the original organization.
Political Reactions
Coalition home affairs spokesperson Jonathon Duniam welcomed the move, stating that the public does not want to see individuals avoid justice "simply by tearing down a banner and re-emerging under a different name." He added, "The listing sends a clear message that organisations that seek to undermine our society and spread extremist ideology have no place in Australia."
Background of the Legislation
The government passed the antisemitism laws, which include the new listing regime, along with stronger penalties for hate crimes and a gun buyback scheme, in response to the Bondi terror attack on December 14, 2025. The government had singled out Hizb ut-Tahrir and the National Socialist Network as groups demonstrating the need for the new laws. Burke and ASIO head Mike Burgess previously stated that these groups operated in a "lawful but awful" manner, skirting the higher threshold required for listing as a terror organization.
ASIO Recommendation
Burke revealed that ASIO had recommended in April that the government consider listing White Australia, confirming that it met the legal threshold. He added that no other organizations are currently being considered for listing by ASIO.
Community Reaction
Peter Wertheim, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, welcomed the listing, noting that his organization had been calling for such a measure since 2021. He stated, "It doesn't matter what they call themselves, or how they structure themselves, these groups use all the well-known techniques of thuggery and menace that Nazis have always used against Jewish communities and other groups they have targeted."
