Australia Bans Neo-Nazi Network Under New Hate-Crime Law, Second Group Proscribed

Australia has banned a neo-Nazi network , formerly known as the National Socialist Network (also called “White Australia”), under its new hate-crime legislation, marking the second organisation proscribed under the law.

The ban follows stricter provisions introduced after a deadly antisemitic attack at a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach in December , which killed 15 people. The legislation allows the government to outlaw groups that may not meet the legal definition of a terrorist organisation but are assessed as promoting hate, encouraging violence, or increasing the risk of extremist activity .

Under the law, an organisation can be banned if Australia’s intelligence agency ASIO determines it has engaged in or advocated conduct that could incite violence, promote hate crimes, or pose a public safety risk , even if it operates under different names or structures. Once approved by the Home Affairs Minister, it becomes illegal to fund, support, recruit for, train, join, or lead the group, with penalties of up to 15 years in prison .

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the National Socialist Network had attempted to rebrand but continued activities that met the legal threshold for prohibition under Australia’s new hate-crime laws. These include advocating or threatening violence, promoting extremist ideology, inciting hatred, recruiting members for extremist causes, and publicly displaying Nazi symbols or conducting intimidation campaigns targeting communities . Authorities also expect the group to challenge the ban in court.

So far, two organisations have been banned under the law: Hizb ut-Tahrir , an Islamist extremist group proscribed in March for allegedly promoting antisemitic rhetoric, praising acts of political violence, and supporting extremist ideology, and the National Socialist Network , a neo-Nazi organisation accused of spreading white supremacist propaganda, glorifying violence, and engaging in intimidation campaigns. The bans were imposed under Australia’s new laws targeting groups that advocate hatred or extremist violence.

The move comes amid heightened concern over rising antisemitic incidents across Australia. In 2024, the government also introduced a nationwide ban on Nazi symbols and salutes as part of broader measures to curb extremist and hate-related activity.