Online hate group listed as a terrorist organisation
The online far-right extremist network Terrorgram has been listed as a terrorist organisation, with members facing decades in jail if convicted of an offence.
The federal government says the group provides instructions on how to conduct terrorist attacks and has been responsible for inspiring terror events in the United States, Europe and Asia.
The listing means Australians who join, recruit or fund the network will face prison terms of up to 25 years.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the listing was different to previous ones because of the way Terrorgram operated.
"If people imagine a big chat group dedicated to hatred and violence," he told ABC Radio on Friday.
"It's a situation where the members won't necessarily know each other. They won't necessarily know the people who they're recruiting."
Mr Burke said the group was a direct threat to the safety of Australians and had previously made threats.
The group encouraged not just the sharing of hatred but the sharing of acts of violence and how-to guides to enable people to commit acts of violence, he said.
"You never stop chasing these characters down ... this listing won't be the last thing we have to do against far-right supremacist groups."
Mr Burke said the nature of terrorist threats kept changing, particularly involving young males being radicalised online around the principle of violence.
"These sorts of groups try to tell a whole lot of Australians they're not welcome here," he said.
"They try to tell people they intend for them not be safe.
"We're saying 'no, no, no, it's the hatred and the bigotry and the violence that isn't welcome here'."
Mr Burke said the government was sending the message anyone who wanted to engage in Terrorgram faced serious criminal penalties.
In February, the neo-Nazi and white supremacist group was slapped with counter-terrorism financing sanctions as part of the federal government's crackdown on anti-Semitism.
Its channels share fascist content on how members can carry out racially-motivated violence against minority groups, police, public figures, political figures and journalists.
Announcing the financing sanctions, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said they made it a criminal offence to use or deal with the assets of, or make assets available to, Terrorgram.
Penalties include up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines.
It was the first time Australia had imposed counter-terrorism financing sanctions on an entirely online entity, Senator Wong said.
Terrorgram has operated on the Russian-founded social media site Telegram, aiming to inspire lone-wolf acts of terror.
In January, the US State Department branded Terrorgram a terrorist group.
The online far-right extremist network Terrorgram has been listed as a terrorist organisation, with members facing decades in jail if convicted of an offence.
The federal government says the group provides instructions on how to conduct terrorist attacks and has been responsible for inspiring terror events in the United States, Europe and Asia.
The listing means Australians who join, recruit or fund the network will face prison terms of up to 25 years.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the listing was different to previous ones because of the way Terrorgram operated.
"If people imagine a big chat group dedicated to hatred and violence," he told ABC Radio on Friday.
"It's a situation where the members won't necessarily know each other. They won't necessarily know the people who they're recruiting."
Mr Burke said the group was a direct threat to the safety of Australians and had previously made threats.
The group encouraged not just the sharing of hatred but the sharing of acts of violence and how-to guides to enable people to commit acts of violence, he said.
"You never stop chasing these characters down ... this listing won't be the last thing we have to do against far-right supremacist groups."
Mr Burke said the nature of terrorist threats kept changing, particularly involving young males being radicalised online around the principle of violence.
"These sorts of groups try to tell a whole lot of Australians they're not welcome here," he said.
"They try to tell people they intend for them not be safe.
"We're saying 'no, no, no, it's the hatred and the bigotry and the violence that isn't welcome here'."
Mr Burke said the government was sending the message anyone who wanted to engage in Terrorgram faced serious criminal penalties.
In February, the neo-Nazi and white supremacist group was slapped with counter-terrorism financing sanctions as part of the federal government's crackdown on anti-Semitism.
Its channels share fascist content on how members can carry out racially-motivated violence against minority groups, police, public figures, political figures and journalists.
Announcing the financing sanctions, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said they made it a criminal offence to use or deal with the assets of, or make assets available to, Terrorgram.
Penalties include up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines.
It was the first time Australia had imposed counter-terrorism financing sanctions on an entirely online entity, Senator Wong said.
Terrorgram has operated on the Russian-founded social media site Telegram, aiming to inspire lone-wolf acts of terror.
In January, the US State Department branded Terrorgram a terrorist group.
The online far-right extremist network Terrorgram has been listed as a terrorist organisation, with members facing decades in jail if convicted of an offence.
The federal government says the group provides instructions on how to conduct terrorist attacks and has been responsible for inspiring terror events in the United States, Europe and Asia.
The listing means Australians who join, recruit or fund the network will face prison terms of up to 25 years.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the listing was different to previous ones because of the way Terrorgram operated.
"If people imagine a big chat group dedicated to hatred and violence," he told ABC Radio on Friday.
"It's a situation where the members won't necessarily know each other. They won't necessarily know the people who they're recruiting."
Mr Burke said the group was a direct threat to the safety of Australians and had previously made threats.
The group encouraged not just the sharing of hatred but the sharing of acts of violence and how-to guides to enable people to commit acts of violence, he said.
"You never stop chasing these characters down ... this listing won't be the last thing we have to do against far-right supremacist groups."
Mr Burke said the nature of terrorist threats kept changing, particularly involving young males being radicalised online around the principle of violence.
"These sorts of groups try to tell a whole lot of Australians they're not welcome here," he said.
"They try to tell people they intend for them not be safe.
"We're saying 'no, no, no, it's the hatred and the bigotry and the violence that isn't welcome here'."
Mr Burke said the government was sending the message anyone who wanted to engage in Terrorgram faced serious criminal penalties.
In February, the neo-Nazi and white supremacist group was slapped with counter-terrorism financing sanctions as part of the federal government's crackdown on anti-Semitism.
Its channels share fascist content on how members can carry out racially-motivated violence against minority groups, police, public figures, political figures and journalists.
Announcing the financing sanctions, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said they made it a criminal offence to use or deal with the assets of, or make assets available to, Terrorgram.
Penalties include up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines.
It was the first time Australia had imposed counter-terrorism financing sanctions on an entirely online entity, Senator Wong said.
Terrorgram has operated on the Russian-founded social media site Telegram, aiming to inspire lone-wolf acts of terror.
In January, the US State Department branded Terrorgram a terrorist group.
The online far-right extremist network Terrorgram has been listed as a terrorist organisation, with members facing decades in jail if convicted of an offence.
The federal government says the group provides instructions on how to conduct terrorist attacks and has been responsible for inspiring terror events in the United States, Europe and Asia.
The listing means Australians who join, recruit or fund the network will face prison terms of up to 25 years.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the listing was different to previous ones because of the way Terrorgram operated.
"If people imagine a big chat group dedicated to hatred and violence," he told ABC Radio on Friday.
"It's a situation where the members won't necessarily know each other. They won't necessarily know the people who they're recruiting."
Mr Burke said the group was a direct threat to the safety of Australians and had previously made threats.
The group encouraged not just the sharing of hatred but the sharing of acts of violence and how-to guides to enable people to commit acts of violence, he said.
"You never stop chasing these characters down ... this listing won't be the last thing we have to do against far-right supremacist groups."
Mr Burke said the nature of terrorist threats kept changing, particularly involving young males being radicalised online around the principle of violence.
"These sorts of groups try to tell a whole lot of Australians they're not welcome here," he said.
"They try to tell people they intend for them not be safe.
"We're saying 'no, no, no, it's the hatred and the bigotry and the violence that isn't welcome here'."
Mr Burke said the government was sending the message anyone who wanted to engage in Terrorgram faced serious criminal penalties.
In February, the neo-Nazi and white supremacist group was slapped with counter-terrorism financing sanctions as part of the federal government's crackdown on anti-Semitism.
Its channels share fascist content on how members can carry out racially-motivated violence against minority groups, police, public figures, political figures and journalists.
Announcing the financing sanctions, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said they made it a criminal offence to use or deal with the assets of, or make assets available to, Terrorgram.
Penalties include up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines.
It was the first time Australia had imposed counter-terrorism financing sanctions on an entirely online entity, Senator Wong said.
Terrorgram has operated on the Russian-founded social media site Telegram, aiming to inspire lone-wolf acts of terror.
In January, the US State Department branded Terrorgram a terrorist group.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
Liberal Party is at a ‘very low point' while considering gender quotas
Shadow Cabinet Secretary Andrew Wallace says the Liberal Party has 'pushed back against' the concept of quotas as it is 'uncharted territory'. 'I think we need to absolutely increase our number of women in the parliament,' Mr Wallace told Sky News Australia. 'We're at a very, very low point right now. 'Everything has to be on the table; we have to examine all options in relation to our policies and our structures. 'Australians expect us as an opposition to be a credible opposition.'
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Seven killed in Ukraine, Putin to cut military spending
Russian missile attacks have killed at least seven people and wounded more than 20 in southern Ukraine, officials say. Five people were killed in the industrial city of Samar in Ukraine's southeast, regional governor Serhiy Lysak said on the Telegram app. Officials gave no immediate details on damage in the city, where an attack on an unidentified infrastructure facility on Tuesday killed two people. In the port city of Odessa, Russian combat drones killed at least two people and wounded six overnight, military administrator Oleh Kiper said. One drone struck the upper floors of a 21-storey residential building, causing a fire. After extinguishing the blaze, rescuers discovered the bodies of a married couple in the rubble, Kiper reported. There were several explosions in the city and fires broke out in several districts, Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov said. Hundreds of kilometres to the south, in the Kherson region, authorities urged residents to prepare for extended periods without power after a Russian attack hit a key energy facility. Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram that "Russians decided to plunge the region into darkness". In recent weeks Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian cities, particularly its capital Kyiv, more than three years into the war that followed its full-scale invasion. Separately, President Vladimir Putin announced Russia was looking to cut its military expenditure from next year, contrasting that with NATO's plan to ramp up defence spending over the next decade. NATO allies on Wednesday agreed to raise their collective spending goal to five per cent of gross domestic product in the next 10 years, citing what they called the long-term threat posed by Russia and the need to strengthen civil and military resilience. Putin told a press conference in Minsk the NATO spending would go on "purchases from the USA and on supporting their military-industrial complex", and this was NATO's business, not Russia's. "But now here is the most important thing. We are planning to reduce defence spending. For us, next year and the year after, over the next three-year period, we are planning for this," he said. Putin said there was no final agreement yet between the defence, finance and economy ministries, "but overall, everyone is thinking in this direction. And Europe is thinking about how to increase its spending, on the contrary. So who is preparing for some kind of aggressive actions? Us or them?" Putin's comments are likely to be greeted with extreme scepticism in the West, given that Russia has massively increased defence spending since the start of the Ukraine war. The conflict shows no sign of ending and has actually intensified in recent weeks, as negotiations have made no visible progress towards a ceasefire or a permanent settlement. Putin said Russia appreciated efforts by US President Donald Trump to bring an end to the war. "He recently stated that it turned out to be more difficult than it seemed from the outside. Well, that's true," Putin said. Trump said this week that he believed Putin wanted to find a way to settle the conflict, but Ukraine and many of its European allies believe the Kremlin leader has no real interest in a peace deal and is intent on capturing more territory. Putin said Russian and Ukrainian negotiators were in constant contact, and Moscow was ready to return the bodies of 3000 more Ukrainian soldiers. Russia is seeing a sharp slowdown in economic growth as the budget comes under pressure from falling energy revenues and the central bank is trying to bring down inflation. with AP and DPA Russian missile attacks have killed at least seven people and wounded more than 20 in southern Ukraine, officials say. Five people were killed in the industrial city of Samar in Ukraine's southeast, regional governor Serhiy Lysak said on the Telegram app. Officials gave no immediate details on damage in the city, where an attack on an unidentified infrastructure facility on Tuesday killed two people. In the port city of Odessa, Russian combat drones killed at least two people and wounded six overnight, military administrator Oleh Kiper said. One drone struck the upper floors of a 21-storey residential building, causing a fire. After extinguishing the blaze, rescuers discovered the bodies of a married couple in the rubble, Kiper reported. There were several explosions in the city and fires broke out in several districts, Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov said. Hundreds of kilometres to the south, in the Kherson region, authorities urged residents to prepare for extended periods without power after a Russian attack hit a key energy facility. Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram that "Russians decided to plunge the region into darkness". In recent weeks Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian cities, particularly its capital Kyiv, more than three years into the war that followed its full-scale invasion. Separately, President Vladimir Putin announced Russia was looking to cut its military expenditure from next year, contrasting that with NATO's plan to ramp up defence spending over the next decade. NATO allies on Wednesday agreed to raise their collective spending goal to five per cent of gross domestic product in the next 10 years, citing what they called the long-term threat posed by Russia and the need to strengthen civil and military resilience. Putin told a press conference in Minsk the NATO spending would go on "purchases from the USA and on supporting their military-industrial complex", and this was NATO's business, not Russia's. "But now here is the most important thing. We are planning to reduce defence spending. For us, next year and the year after, over the next three-year period, we are planning for this," he said. Putin said there was no final agreement yet between the defence, finance and economy ministries, "but overall, everyone is thinking in this direction. And Europe is thinking about how to increase its spending, on the contrary. So who is preparing for some kind of aggressive actions? Us or them?" Putin's comments are likely to be greeted with extreme scepticism in the West, given that Russia has massively increased defence spending since the start of the Ukraine war. The conflict shows no sign of ending and has actually intensified in recent weeks, as negotiations have made no visible progress towards a ceasefire or a permanent settlement. Putin said Russia appreciated efforts by US President Donald Trump to bring an end to the war. "He recently stated that it turned out to be more difficult than it seemed from the outside. Well, that's true," Putin said. Trump said this week that he believed Putin wanted to find a way to settle the conflict, but Ukraine and many of its European allies believe the Kremlin leader has no real interest in a peace deal and is intent on capturing more territory. Putin said Russian and Ukrainian negotiators were in constant contact, and Moscow was ready to return the bodies of 3000 more Ukrainian soldiers. Russia is seeing a sharp slowdown in economic growth as the budget comes under pressure from falling energy revenues and the central bank is trying to bring down inflation. with AP and DPA Russian missile attacks have killed at least seven people and wounded more than 20 in southern Ukraine, officials say. Five people were killed in the industrial city of Samar in Ukraine's southeast, regional governor Serhiy Lysak said on the Telegram app. Officials gave no immediate details on damage in the city, where an attack on an unidentified infrastructure facility on Tuesday killed two people. In the port city of Odessa, Russian combat drones killed at least two people and wounded six overnight, military administrator Oleh Kiper said. One drone struck the upper floors of a 21-storey residential building, causing a fire. After extinguishing the blaze, rescuers discovered the bodies of a married couple in the rubble, Kiper reported. There were several explosions in the city and fires broke out in several districts, Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov said. Hundreds of kilometres to the south, in the Kherson region, authorities urged residents to prepare for extended periods without power after a Russian attack hit a key energy facility. Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram that "Russians decided to plunge the region into darkness". In recent weeks Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian cities, particularly its capital Kyiv, more than three years into the war that followed its full-scale invasion. Separately, President Vladimir Putin announced Russia was looking to cut its military expenditure from next year, contrasting that with NATO's plan to ramp up defence spending over the next decade. NATO allies on Wednesday agreed to raise their collective spending goal to five per cent of gross domestic product in the next 10 years, citing what they called the long-term threat posed by Russia and the need to strengthen civil and military resilience. Putin told a press conference in Minsk the NATO spending would go on "purchases from the USA and on supporting their military-industrial complex", and this was NATO's business, not Russia's. "But now here is the most important thing. We are planning to reduce defence spending. For us, next year and the year after, over the next three-year period, we are planning for this," he said. Putin said there was no final agreement yet between the defence, finance and economy ministries, "but overall, everyone is thinking in this direction. And Europe is thinking about how to increase its spending, on the contrary. So who is preparing for some kind of aggressive actions? Us or them?" Putin's comments are likely to be greeted with extreme scepticism in the West, given that Russia has massively increased defence spending since the start of the Ukraine war. The conflict shows no sign of ending and has actually intensified in recent weeks, as negotiations have made no visible progress towards a ceasefire or a permanent settlement. Putin said Russia appreciated efforts by US President Donald Trump to bring an end to the war. "He recently stated that it turned out to be more difficult than it seemed from the outside. Well, that's true," Putin said. Trump said this week that he believed Putin wanted to find a way to settle the conflict, but Ukraine and many of its European allies believe the Kremlin leader has no real interest in a peace deal and is intent on capturing more territory. Putin said Russian and Ukrainian negotiators were in constant contact, and Moscow was ready to return the bodies of 3000 more Ukrainian soldiers. Russia is seeing a sharp slowdown in economic growth as the budget comes under pressure from falling energy revenues and the central bank is trying to bring down inflation. with AP and DPA Russian missile attacks have killed at least seven people and wounded more than 20 in southern Ukraine, officials say. Five people were killed in the industrial city of Samar in Ukraine's southeast, regional governor Serhiy Lysak said on the Telegram app. Officials gave no immediate details on damage in the city, where an attack on an unidentified infrastructure facility on Tuesday killed two people. In the port city of Odessa, Russian combat drones killed at least two people and wounded six overnight, military administrator Oleh Kiper said. One drone struck the upper floors of a 21-storey residential building, causing a fire. After extinguishing the blaze, rescuers discovered the bodies of a married couple in the rubble, Kiper reported. There were several explosions in the city and fires broke out in several districts, Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov said. Hundreds of kilometres to the south, in the Kherson region, authorities urged residents to prepare for extended periods without power after a Russian attack hit a key energy facility. Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram that "Russians decided to plunge the region into darkness". In recent weeks Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian cities, particularly its capital Kyiv, more than three years into the war that followed its full-scale invasion. Separately, President Vladimir Putin announced Russia was looking to cut its military expenditure from next year, contrasting that with NATO's plan to ramp up defence spending over the next decade. NATO allies on Wednesday agreed to raise their collective spending goal to five per cent of gross domestic product in the next 10 years, citing what they called the long-term threat posed by Russia and the need to strengthen civil and military resilience. Putin told a press conference in Minsk the NATO spending would go on "purchases from the USA and on supporting their military-industrial complex", and this was NATO's business, not Russia's. "But now here is the most important thing. We are planning to reduce defence spending. For us, next year and the year after, over the next three-year period, we are planning for this," he said. Putin said there was no final agreement yet between the defence, finance and economy ministries, "but overall, everyone is thinking in this direction. And Europe is thinking about how to increase its spending, on the contrary. So who is preparing for some kind of aggressive actions? Us or them?" Putin's comments are likely to be greeted with extreme scepticism in the West, given that Russia has massively increased defence spending since the start of the Ukraine war. The conflict shows no sign of ending and has actually intensified in recent weeks, as negotiations have made no visible progress towards a ceasefire or a permanent settlement. Putin said Russia appreciated efforts by US President Donald Trump to bring an end to the war. "He recently stated that it turned out to be more difficult than it seemed from the outside. Well, that's true," Putin said. Trump said this week that he believed Putin wanted to find a way to settle the conflict, but Ukraine and many of its European allies believe the Kremlin leader has no real interest in a peace deal and is intent on capturing more territory. Putin said Russian and Ukrainian negotiators were in constant contact, and Moscow was ready to return the bodies of 3000 more Ukrainian soldiers. Russia is seeing a sharp slowdown in economic growth as the budget comes under pressure from falling energy revenues and the central bank is trying to bring down inflation. with AP and DPA
Sky News AU
5 hours ago
- Sky News AU
New push to end controversial protections for NSW's Snowy Mountain brumbies
The future of NSW's Snowy Mountain brumbies may hang in the balance if a new bill is passed to repeal controversial protections for the invasive species. Independent Wagga Wagga MP Joe McGirr gave notice on Wednesday of his intention to introduce a Bill to repeal the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act. The Act, introduced by former deputy premier John Barilaro, recognised the 'heritage' value of brumbies and mandated their population be reduced to 3000. While it will be years until a new target is set, Invasive Species CEO Jack Gough said even one horse in Kosciuszko would cause 'enormous amounts of damage'. 'The question is the scale of damage that we're prepared to accept,' Mr Gough said alongside Mr McGirr on Wednesday. 'Having 1/3 of the national park set up as an area that is essentially a horse paddock instead of a national park is not something that Australians want.' Mr Gough admitted it would be difficult to reduce the number of feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park to zero, but stressed the risk the brumbies posed. 'We know that the Australian landscape did not evolve with large, heavy, hard-hoofed animals that are cutting up that landscape,' he said. 'They are draining the peat moss and are causing enormous amount of damage to the homes of our native species.' In May, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service reported as few as 1500 brumbies may be left in the park following extensive aerial culling. While images released by the Park service showed recovery to the fragile alpine ecosystem, the method of reducing horse numbers has been controversial. Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst said there was 'no justification' for aerial shooting at Kosciuszko, and that the party would not be supporting Mr McGirr's bill. If it was passed, she expressed concern it would result in a 'push to kill any remaining animals that are there in the park'. 'The push to actually repeal this act, to open the doors to allow for that killing is mind boggling,' she said. Ms Hurst called on NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe to 'keep her word' about aerial shooting. Ms Sharpe told a budget estimates committee aerial shooting had 'ceased for now' in the horse retention area after the population reports were released. Further aerial shooting has taken place outside of the retention area from June 10 until June 30, targeting 'all feral animals'. In a statement, Ms Sharpe said the state government was close to reaching the legislated targeted of 3000 wild horses in Kosciuszko, two years ahead of deadline. 'We're now focused on population management,' she said. 'We will have a look at the Bill, as we do with all Bills.' Future of the Brumby Bill remains unclear If passed, the Mr McGirr's bill would create a transition period from January 1 until July 1, 2027, at which point the previous management plan would end. The Wild Horses Community Advisory Panel will also be dissolved, with the state government freed up to create a new management plan. On Wednesday, Mr Gough and Mr McGirr expressed their confidence that the Bill would be approved with support from Labor and Liberals. Mr Gough said the so-called Brumby Bill had 'no friends left' in either the upper or lower houses, including from the Liberals, Greens, and Labor. Ms Hurst was less certain, raising the possibility it may not be supported by Nationals Party or the Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers party. Australian Brumby Alliance President Nikki Alberts is part of a vocal minority in the community who stridently oppose the shooting of brumbies in the park. She also expressed fears that if the Heritage Act was repealed 'they'll go in and shoot them (the brumbies) all'. Ms Alberts said the Alliance had put forward a proposal for management of the brumby population, with a focus on rehoming. Currently, the NSW government employs a range of brumby management measures, including trapping and rehoming and early-days immunocontraceptives. Originally published as New push to end controversial protections for NSW's Snowy Mountain brumbies
