A number of extreme far-right groups are being closely monitored by Victoria Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal senior police believe some of the groups should be designated as terrorist organisations amid an alarming rise in hate speech across Australia.
Far right groups the Sunday Herald Sun understands have come to the attention of police and ASIO include Antipodean Resistance, National Socialist Network, Proud Boys, The Base and United Patriots Front.
ASIO told the Sunday Herald Sun youngsters who “are barely in their teens” are being radicalised by right-wing extremists.
Residents of the Grampians were left shocked and disturbed after a group of white supremacists rallied in the popular national park over the Australia Day long weekend.
Police investigated the incident, which involved about 20 to 30 men who were heard chanting white power slogans and “Heil Hitler”.
Professor Greg Barton, a counter-terrorism expert at Deakin University and co-director of the Australian Intervention and Support Hub, said legislation change was needed and extreme far-right groups designated as terrorist organisations to tackle the issue.
Senior figures in Victoria Police have also told the Sunday Herald Sun such moves would be welcomed, as it would help officers tackle the rise of far-right extremism.
Read the article by David Hurley in the Geelong Advertiser.