Activists expose disturbing past of young Aussie neo-Nazi

Activists have outed the son of a Victorian police officer as a prominent neo-Nazi who has been radicalised into “extremism”.

Activists have outed the son of a Victorian police officer as a prominent neo-Nazi who has been radicalised into “extremism”.

The White Rose Society – an Australian group of anti-fascist researchers dedicated to “tracking and exposing the names and faces of neo-Nazis to help our communities keep safe” – recently published a lengthy Twitter thread about Mr Bull’s grim record of “public displays of hate and intimidation”.

The group also worked with The Age to out the Queensland and NSW leaders of the National Socialist Network (NSN) and neo-Nazis linked to Victoria Police, Queensland Police – and some who are even serving in the Australian Defence Force.

According to the White Rose Society, 21-year-old Mr Bull is the son of a Victorian police officer, who just last year took to social media to share a photo of his son wearing a T-shirt featuring neo-Nazi symbolism, and boasting about how “proud” he was of his offspring. There is no suggestion the police officer is involved in the neo-Nazi group.

Nathan Bull's police officer father is "proud" of what he's been doing. Picture: Twitter

Nathan Bull performed the Nazi salute along with other National Socialist Network members during a Melbourne protest this weekend. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling

The Runic Storm – a Ukrainian streetwear brand for “strong, brave, angry youth” – T-shirt features a Black Sun, a sun wheel symbol which originated in Nazi Germany which has since been adopted by neo-Nazis and other far-right groups, and the Reichsadler “imperial eagle”, which is also commonly associated with the neo-Nazi movement.

Victoria Police told news.com.au it was unable to comment on specific individuals “in accordance with privacy legislation”.

A spokeswoman also said in a statement that “Victoria Police has a very clear conflict of interest policy”, and that “While we know people can’t choose their family, the policy outlines what relationships must be declared to ensure any actual or perceived risks are managed”.

NSN members at the Melbourne protest. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling

Over the weekend, Mr Bull was photographed performing a Nazi salute on the steps of parliament alongside fellow NSN members during an anti-trans rally in Melbourne, a move which was strongly condemned by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

“I wish it didn’t have to be said, but clearly it does: Nazis aren’t welcome,” Mr Andrews wrote on Twitter.

“Not on Parliament‘s steps. Not anywhere. They were there to say the trans community don‘t deserve rights, safety or dignity.

“That’s what Nazis do. Their evil ideology is to scapegoat minorities – and it’s got no place here. And those who stand with them don’t, either.”

But sadly, it was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to Mr Bull’s troubling behaviour in recent months.

Last month, Mr Bull and a fellow NSN member turned up at CUDL Melbourne’s CBD street kitchen to spout fascist nonsense, including “peddling Nazi doctrines, denying the Holocaust occurred, claiming Hitler was a great man, and harassing patrons”.

The organisation shared a picture of the duo on social media, posting: “These are their faces, share them around and out these scum for what they are.”

Last month, Mr Bull and a fellow NSN member turned up at CUDL Melbourne’s CBD street kitchen to spout fascist nonsense

The White Rose Society has also unearthed shirtless pictures of Mr Bull showing his vegvísir tattoo – an Icelandic symbol which has been adopted by many Australian neo-Nazis, as well as a post by Mr Bull claiming he was present when NSN members racially abused people after leaving an Irish pub, resulting in a fight that left NSN leader Jimeone Roberts in a coma for several weeks.

He also attended court with NSN leader Thomas Sewell during his trial for attacking a Channel 9 security guard, which the society described as “bold behaviour” which “demonstrates the extent of his radicalisation into extremism”.

The White Rose Society has also unearthed shirtless pictures of Mr Bull showing his vegvísir tattoo – an Icelandic symbol which has been adopted by many Australian neo-Nazis.

He also performed a Nazi salute outside the Adelaide Holocaust Museum with fellow NSN members, in yet another example of “public displays of hate and intimidation”.

In a separate Twitter thread, the society explained it was on a mission to expose neo-Nazis in Australia to the public and their employers.

Meanwhile, Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes revealed on Monday that the state would increase current legislation banning the Nazi swastika to include the Nazi salute following the NSN’s actions over the weekend.

David Slucki, a Monash University Holocaust expert and the director of the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation, said it was “shocking but not surprising” to see neo-Nazis targeting trans people, and that banning the salute would help to “reduce the presence of Nazi symbolism in public places”.

However, he said it will “do little to eradicate Nazism, which thrives in online spaces”.

“A broader approach is needed to combat the growing far right,” he said.

“These Nazis will continue to target vulnerable groups and it is incumbent on political and community leaders not to use those groups as political pawns, which only empowers these groups.

“We also have to recognise that this was a tiny group of people who have now been given an outsized megaphone. We need to be cautious about how we report on these incidents and deal with them lest we empower them further.”

Originally published as Activists expose disturbing past of young Aussie neo-Nazi