The Australian government has officially banned the neo-Nazi group known as the National Socialist Network (NSN), also referred to as “White Australia,” listing it as a prohibited hate group. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced that the listing, which takes effect at midnight Friday, follows legislation introduced after the Bondi terror attacks.
Under these laws, it is now a criminal offense to support, fund, train, recruit, join, or direct the organization. Those found guilty of these activities face a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
Legal Challenges and Fundraising
Despite the listing, NSN leader Thomas Sewell has claimed the group filed paperwork for a legal challenge with the High Court on Friday. Sewell had previously stated that organizing was on hold pending this legal protection to continue building a political party unobstructed.
To fund the challenge, an online fundraiser created by Sewell has raised $157,000 toward a $175,000 goal. Donation records indicate some contributors are based in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom, with one individual donation exceeding $10,000.
The funds are intended for legal fees for Paladin Lawyers. Solicitor Matthew Hopkins, who has previously represented Sewell, was highlighted in an investigation last September for sharing racist and antisemitic posts on social media and describing Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf as a “brilliant book.”
The Strategy of Disbanding
The National Socialist Network had announced it was disbanding earlier this year. Minister Tony Burke stated this was an effort to evade the new hate speech laws, asserting, “They thought by announcing that they had disbanded, that they had evaded these laws — they haven’t.”
The government has also indicated that the listing is designed to prevent the group from simply changing its name to bypass the ban. Minister Burke noted that if the group attempts to reform under a new name, it could be handled as a simple regulation change if it is judged to be a continuation of the organization.
Links to March for Australia
Evidence has emerged regarding NSN involvement in the anti-immigration group March for Australia (MFA). While MFA national organiser Bec Walker previously denied NSN involvement, she recently admitted in a Telegram chat that the NSN helped the group gain traction.
Walker clarified that NSN members acted as marshals at Australia Day events to report problems to her, though she maintained this role did not involve decision-making. However, Dr. Josh Roose, an expert in radicalisation at Deakin University, suggested that MFA and the NSN share the same beliefs and could be viewed as a rebranding of the same organization.
Specific NSN members have been active within MFA channels. Zachary Hook, an NSN member and MFA moderator for the ACT, faces criminal charges for allegedly performing Nazi salutes and placing extremist stickers on public buildings.
Other linked individuals include Michael Nelson, an NSN member charged over racist slogans at a 2025 Anzac Day event, and Eli Toby, who attended an NSN rally at NSW parliament house and was later charged for allegedly booing at a Sydney service.
Potential Next Steps
The future of the movement may depend on the outcome of the High Court challenge. If the challenge fails, the group may be more likely to attempt further rebranding or shift operations entirely to unnamed online projects.
One such unnamed project, which publishes white supremacist and antisemitic opinion pieces, announced it would disband following the government’s announcement. Other similar, crowdsourced propaganda efforts could emerge as members seek new ways to organize.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the legal penalties for joining the National Socialist Network? Supporting, funding, training, recruiting, joining, or directing the group is now a criminal offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison. How much money has the NSN raised for its legal battle? The group has raised $157,000 of a $175,000 goal through an online fundraiser. Did the NSN attempt to enter formal politics? Yes, Thomas Sewell stated that the group attempted to register a “White Australia Party” with the Australian Electoral Commission in April.
Do you believe that listing organizations as hate groups is an effective way to stop extremist organizing?
