Extreme right plots to weaponise Covid

Right-wing extremists have been increasingly active online, threatening to use COVID-19 as a weapon at mosques and synagogues, the NSW Crime Commission warns.

Right-wing extremists have been increasingly active online, spreading conspiracy theories about COVID-19 and threatening to use it as a weapon at mosques and synagogues, the NSW Crime Commission warns.

Charting the effects of the pandemic, the commission said restrictions of movement imposed in NSW had “reduced or prevented in-person association or socialisation” of persons of interest to the state’s Joint Counter Terrorism Team.

Activity shifted online, where discussions in the extreme right-wing community have centred on being prepared for or accelerating the collapse of society.

“A noticeable increase in online activity was observed among the extreme right-wing (XRW) community,” the commission says in its submission to a parliamentary inquiry into COVID-19 crime and law enforcement.

“The XRW rhetoric during the pandemic frequently cited COVID-19; from conspiracy theories about (it) to comments relating to using it as a weapon against traditional XRW targets.”

Australia-based extreme right-wing activity online tended to mirror activity internationally, particularly in the US, the commission says. “The pandemic … generally reinforced the broader XRW narrative; specifically that the circumstances are further evidence of a predicted and anticipated race or civil war and subsequent collapse of society.

“This is referred to in XRW circles as the ‘Boogaloo’, which its ideology posits as inevitable.”

Face-to-face meetings of right-wing extremists have recommenced with the lifting of restrictions of movement, the commission says, and law enforcement will now begin assessing the long-term impact of increased consumption of online propaganda.

The commission also warns that Australia faces the threat of terror attacks from Islamic extremists unable to travel overseas to join foreign incursions in conflict zones because of international travel restrictions. “The effective closure of Australia’s international borders and the fluid situation in respect of other countries’ borders has rendered it extremely difficult for Australians to travel to these areas.

“It is unknown how long border closures will be enforced, however it raises the possibility that this may result in Australia-based extremists undertaking terrorist attacks inside Australia.

“This would be in accordance with tactics promoted by extreme Salafist terrorist groups that individuals should first seek to make hijrah (migrate/travel) to a conflict zone but if this is not possible then they should undertake an ­attack within their own country.”

Cancellation of mass gatherings such as Anzac Day commemorations and New Year’s Eve celebrations could lead terrorists to change tactics, the commission says. “These significant events have traditionally been viewed by NSW extremists as desirable targets for domestic terror attacks.

“The cancellation of these events may cause extremists to shift their target selection to other ‘soft’ targets.”

International travel restrictions have also postponed the return of foreign fighters and their families to Australia.