White Australia party is ‘modern manifestation’ of Nazi movement and should be banned, commonwealth tells high court
Summary
Australia’s high court is hearing a challenge to the government ban on the White Australia party, a group linked to Nazi beliefs. The government calls it a dangerous hate group that encourages violence, while the party’s lawyers argue the ban violates political freedom and should be decided by a judge, not a minister.Key Facts
- The White Australia party was previously called the National Socialist Network (NSN).
- The Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (Asio) recommended banning the group as a hate group.
- Minister Tony Burke officially banned the group in May, making support or membership a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
- The government says the party is a modern version of the Nazi movement and promotes hate crimes.
- The party’s lawyers argue the ban breaks the implied freedom of political communication protected by law.
- They also say banning political parties is beyond the government’s power and decisions should be made by judges, not politicians.
- The government cited examples of violent acts and hate speech linked to the party.
- The case is being heard over two days in Australia’s high court.
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