A neo-Nazi group known as the National Socialist Network, also operating as White Australia, has been banned as a hate group under new Australian anti-hate laws and is now mounting a High Court challenge to defend its existence.

NSN leaders, including Thomas Sewell, have filed a constitutional challenge arguing the new laws infringe political communication and exceed parliamentary powers, seeking an injunction to block the ban while the case proceeds.

Past reporting links NSN with overseas extremism and outlines alleged plots against political figures and repeated police raids tied to its networks.

Court documents show NSN and allied groups dissolved formal entities on January 13, yet Sewell remains linked as president of what is described as the White Australia Party in ongoing proceedings.

The ban followed a recommendation from ASIO in April, and the group subsequently sought registration for the White Australia Party with the Australian Electoral Commission.

The case is current as of mid-May 2026, with updates indicating ongoing legal proceedings and fast-developing actions.

Under the new listing, participating in NSN or White Australia activities—including supporting, funding, training, recruiting, or joining—becomes a crime with a maximum penalty of up to 15 years’ imprisonment.

Sewell has publicly warned that liberal democracy could die if the injunction fails, portraying continued resistance as a duty for supporters.

The ban marks NSN/White Australia as the second group blocked under the new law, after Hizb ut-Tahrir, reflecting a tougher stance on extremist networks that previously operated in a gray area.

Although NSN had signaled a disbandment before the new law, authorities say it reorganized and continued activities, including pursuing political party registration.

Group leader Thomas Sewell has raised more than $150,000 to fund the legal challenge and appeals against the proscription.

The coverage comes from The Sydney Morning Herald, framing the development as a major national legal and societal issue.