Police in South Australia have arrested 16 people—all male, one a 16-year-old boy—whom they allege are all members of the National Socialist Network (NSN).
They have been charged with a range of offences, including one man who police say displayed a Nazi symbol.
They are all from different parts of Australia and will likely appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Jan. 28.
The neo-Nazi NSN has been monitored by authorities for many months, and were photographed dressed in black, wearing sunglasses and waving Australian flags as they marched through Adelaide on Australia Day.
Video shows them chanting, “Australia for the white man,” and banging a drum while walking, as well as singing Waltzing Matilda.
Photos also show police pinning the men to the ground during arrests at the Parklands.
Police released a breakdown of the 16 people arrested, revealing that most had travelled to South Australia from NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, and Tasmania. In a statement, police said those arrested were “not involved in organised events or protests.”
Those detained include a 16-year-old, a 31-year-old, and a 41-year-old, all from Victoria; a 24-year-old from South Australia; a 25-year-old Tasmanian man; a 36-year-old from Queensland; a 21-year-old from NSW; and a 29-year-old whose address has yet to be confirmed. All are charged with failing to cease loitering.
A 58-year-old NSW man, a 23-year-old man from Victoria, a 30-year-old and 55-year-old both from WA, and a 25-year-old whose address has yet to be confirmed were all charged with possessing an article of disguise.
In addition, a 23-year-old Victorian man has been charged with assaulting police, and a 31-year-old from NSW was charged with refusing to give his name and address as well as possessing an article of disguise.
The man charged over the Nazi symbol is 25-years-old and from WA. He is also accused of having a disguise.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there was “no place for this hateful ideology here in Australia” following the incident.
“They were horrific scenes yesterday, to have people openly identifying as neo-Nazis and fascists, white supremacists marching through the street.”
The prime minister said Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) Director-General Mike Burgess had been warning of the rise of far-right groups in Australia.
“It’s a phenomenon, unfortunately, we have seen in other parts of the industrialised world as well,” he said.
“There is no place for this hateful ideology here in Australia or, indeed, anywhere else.”
“It is utterly disgraceful that these so-called neo-Nazis have come from interstate to protest in front of this sacred memorial that commemorates the exact thing so many South Australians fought against and paid the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.
“Racism and intolerance have no place in Australia. I applaud the swift actions of SAPOL in arresting those alleged to have committed criminal acts.”
A protest was due to take place nearby, involving people opposed to Australia’s national day being held on Jan. 26.The disruption caused by the NSN, and their subsequent arrests, forced the “Survival Day” event organisers to delay their march until police gave the all-clear.
Greens Senator Hanson-Young called for a full investigation into South Australia’s neo-Nazi cell.
“Today’s Nazi invasion of Australia Day events is sickening,” she said. “There must be an immediate investigation into the planned activities and intent of this terrorising group.
“Attempts to scare and intimidate our local Adelaide community are completely unacceptable and must be dealt with by the full force of the law. Adelaide is a peaceful and respectful city, and we don’t need Nazi-wannabes terrorising members of our community.
South Australian Police were pleased with “the overwhelming majority of community members who attended the Adelaide CBD today to participate in the events held, including the Tour Down Under and other Australia Day events.”
There was less drama in the rest of the country’s capitals.
Victoria Police said about 50 to 70 people attended the pro-Australia Day rally in Melbourne, with no one arrested.
They said in a statement that they were “pleased with the overall crowd behaviour” on Sunday.
NSW Police confirmed there were no arrests related to extremist activity at Sydney’s Invasion/Survival Day events.
South Australia outlawed Nazi symbols and gesture in June last year. If convicted, an offender faces a fine of up to $20,000 or a year in jail.
