Extremists, Neo Nazi plot to infiltrate ADF, ASIO and Defence revealed

ASIO and the Australian Defence Force have detected an extremist plot to infiltrate military ranks and find more recruits. This is what we know about these extremists and their mission.

Extremists including neo-Nazis are attempting to join the military and or recruit some already within Australian Defence Force ranks in an alarming plot to push their destabilising agenda.

ASIO in concert with Defence has identified a rising number of individuals with “ideologically motivated extremism” either actively being groomed in their ranks or trying to join.

According to Defence sources, the move is to attain military training to boost their skill set “capabilities” although for what is not clear.

Mugshot of serving member of the British Army Daniel Khalife who escaped from jail while awaiting trial on terrorism charges and for allegedly breaking the Official Secrets Act. Picture: AFP / Metropolitan Police Service

The revelation comes as in the UK a former soldier who escaped from prison had been facing charges of eliciting personal information from the Ministry of Defence Joint Personnel Administration System, breaching the Secrets Act and “likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism”.

In that case, the ex-soldier Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, was due to face trial in November before his dramatic escape from a south London jail by strapping himself to the underside of a delivery van. He was arrested Saturday near Chiswick in west London, and is in police custody.

The extremism rise in Australia has been linked to conspiracies borne from the Covid-19 pandemic and the emergence of anti-authority sovereign citizens, ultra right-wing nationalists and supremacists and their inciting anti-lockdown violence.

Far right wing group does Nazi salutes on the steps of parliament in Melbourne in March 2023. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Defence has confirmed it was working closely with national security agencies.

“There is no place for unlawful or inappropriate association with groups or organisations that engage in advocacy for extremist ideology, extremist views, or criminal activity within the Australian Defence Force,” a spokeswoman said.

“Defence works closely with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to identify and counter threats to Defence and Defence personnel involving ideologically motivated extremism. All personnel have an obligation to report contact with these groups.”

A heavily-armed young man poses with his assault rifle during a right wing coronavirus protest linked to the Trump administration at the State Capitol in Salem, Oregon, United States on May 2, 2020. Picture: Getty Images

The ADF has significantly bolstered recruitment vetting processes including intelligence sharing with ASIO to ensure they meet fit and proper standard tests.

Defence declined to say how many people had been identified either trying to join or within their ranks as no longer fit for service under extremist ideology parameters.

“Defence investigates and takes action when personnel are identified as being potentially involved in unlawful or inappropriate activities. This may include referring investigations to law enforcement and national security agencies,” the spokeswoman said.

A far right nationalism protest in Melbourne earlier this year. Picture: David Crosling

ASIO did not respond to questions but it is known through parliamentary hearings that at least half the domestic security agency’s priority onshore caseload is related to the extreme right wing nationalist threat with the other half being religious-motivated extremism and terrorism.

On social media there are currently numerous former ADF members pushing extreme conspiracies encouraging Australians to take action against perceived State-sanctioned public injustices.

In one video posted online, a former Army officer claims State abuse of biometrics designed to expose truth telling “patriots” and enslave the public. On the same platform another former infantry soldier claims there is an Australian government and Defence plot around mRNA vaccines for May 2024, a civil war likelihood in the US and a real-life secret program of genetic manipulation being done to create an AI-controlled Army of “super soldiers” that he likens to the Hollywood military sci-fi action film franchise Universal Soldier starring Jean Claude van Damme.

The movie poster for the 1999 film Universal Soldier: The Return.

Canberra University law school senior lecturer Carli Kulmar said the broad issue was significant, as it was in other Western countries.

“ASIO does a good job at vetting extremists trying to join the military but it doesn’t mean some don’t fall through the cracks or they can’t be radicalised while they are a (ADF) member and it is worrying when the call comes from inside the house, inside the military,” the right wing radicalism expert said.

“They are strategically targeted by extremist groups for their skills, their knowledge, their experience, their leadership and training so even if they are not going to play a specific part in something they can train people for it.”

Ms Kulmar said veterans were particularly vulnerable to coercion by extremists looking to add legitimacy to their cause, with former military standing at their shoulder, and offering the appeal of a new camaraderie.

Originally published as Extremists, Neo Nazi plot to infiltrate ADF, ASIO and Defence revealed