What do they want to achieve?
The National Socialist Network wants to see the end of society as we know it and the building of a new one based on principles of racial purity,where each race stays in their assigned nation (Australia being assigned to white people). Immigrants,in this mindset,are considered “invaders”.
This group of neo-Nazis aredescribed as “accelerationists” – people who believe this collapse can be sped up by acts of violence and chaos. They have used other world events such as the COVID-19 pandemic,the“stealing” of the 2020 US presidential election and the riots at the US Capitol to recruit people,and as markers pointing to the coming revolution in global affairs.
The National Socialist Network has sought to raise funds to buy country property in Victoria or South Australia as a place from which to base its training and prepare for the coming collapse.
Why ‘socialism’? I thought they were far-right,not far-left.
Even though “socialism” is contained in the name of both the Nazi Party and the Australian National Socialist Network,they are not really pursuing “socialism” as it’s normally understood as a left-wing philosophy. Adolf Hitler joined the “National Socialist German Workers’ Party” then set about taking over its structure and its paramilitary,and imposing his racial theories on it. The Australian neo-Nazis have just followed the naming convention.
What is their appeal?
Loading
Unfortunately,for some,ideas of racial superiority and the inherent danger of people who they perceive as different are difficult to dislodge,even in an affluent,successfully multicultural country such as Australia.
Incorners of the internet,atfootball grounds,pubs and private gatherings,and at the National Socialist Network’s Racism HQ,racist ideas still have the power to motivate people.
As Nick McKenzie and Joel Tozer wrote intheir investigation into Australia’s neo-Nazi groups:“Among them are men,young and old,angry at being left behind by economic and social forces beyond their control. The National Socialist Network urges them to channel their anger against Jews,liberal multicultural democracy,black people,migrants,Muslims. And it offers the promise of a coming race war to restore their lost status and superiority.”
Are they dangerous?
Yes. AsASIO chief Mike Burgess said in an interview,the ideology could fuel a terror attack,most likely by a “lone wolf” attacker inspired by their views and hatreds.
“While we might conclude these groups in these online forums are just talking a good game,it could unfortunately spur someone on who is on the fringe of that group,” he said.
Brenton Tarrant,the Australian who committed the mosque murders in Christchurch,New Zealand,in 2019 wasmotivated by accelerationism,and had been active in neo-Nazi forums online. He had beenapproached to join precursor groups to the National Socialist Network and was described by its leader as “saint Tarrant”. The leader likened him to the late Nelson Mandela – a man imprisoned for his political beliefs – and said he would stay in prison until the neo-Nazis could bring about the revolution.
In addition,the National Socialist Network has links to overseas violent radical right-wing terror organisations includingThe Base and Combat 18,both banned in other countries as terror organisations,andthe Proud Boys,whose violent members featured in a number of pro-Donald Trump rallies including the storming of the Capitol building in January.