Irritated Australians have slammed the Australian Federal Police for their ongoing crackdown on right-wing activists in the wake of the Bondi Islamic terrorist attack.
An AFP National Security Investigations (NSI) team arrested an 18-year-old man in Weston, Canberra, on Christmas Eve for allegedly putting “propaganda-style stickers” at the Australian National University and two suburban shopping centres and allegedly performing Nazi salutes when he was confronted.
He was charged with two counts of “public display of prohibited Nazi symbols or giving Nazi salute”, two counts of damaging Commonwealth property, and two counts of offensive or disorderly behaviour on Commonwealth premises, and faces a maximum ten years’ jail.
The man spent two nights in jail and was released on bail on Friday under conditions he not associate with the National Socialist Network or leave Canberra, and is yet to enter a plea.
The AFP shared video of his arrest, and allegedly seized stickers saying “White man fight back” and flyers for political organisation White Australia, which is in the process of registering as a party with the Australian Electoral Commission to contest the 2028 federal election.
But everyday Aussies responded to the heavily publicised arrest and charges with confusion and anger, with many asking why the police were using their resources to solve alleged sticker and salute crimes instead of hunting down Muslim terrorists.
It’s almost amusing how our enforcement agencies are seemingly going out of their way to ignore Islamic extremism.
They must think we are in La La Land. #auspol https://t.co/EJgBNzKilC
— Caroline Di Russo (@CaroDiRusso) December 26, 2025
I do not agree with what this man says, but I will defend to my death his right to say it.
That’s how free speech works.
If we don’t all have free speech, none of us have it. pic.twitter.com/RPiKTDwBdG
— Matthew Camenzuli (@Matt_Camenzuli) December 26, 2025
Authorities can identify, track, and arrest a teen over a Nazi salute.
But they couldn’t stop two Islamic extremists, known to ASIO, from legally obtaining firearms and committing a terror attack.
Robust law enforcement. pic.twitter.com/c9y8H2zgaw
— chris mate
(@ChrisLXXXVI) December 26, 2025
“It’s almost amusing how our enforcement agencies are seemingly going out of their way to ignore Islamic extremism. They must think we are in La La Land,” wrote former Western Australia Liberal Party President Caroline Di Russo on X in response to an article about the arrest.
“Its easier to go after alleged far right extremists who aren’t adjacent to a potentially vital voting bloc,” replied journalist Tarric Brooker.
Political commentator Matthew Camenzuli also commented on the arrest, saying: “I do not agree with what this man says, but I will defend to my death his right to say it. That’s how free speech works. If we don’t all have free speech, none of us have it.”
“Authorities can identify, track, and arrest a teen over a Nazi salute. But they couldn’t stop two Islamic extremists, known to ASIO, from legally obtaining firearms and committing a terror attack. Robust law enforcement,” read another popular X post.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism & Special Investigations Stephen Nutt said: “Anyone allegedly performing Nazi salutes is displaying criminal behaviour that brings pain and anguish to the Jewish community and divides Australian society.
“The AFP established the National Security Investigations team in September to target groups and individuals causing high harm to Australia’s social cohesion including attempts to vilify marginalised communities.
“Anti-Semitism is a cancer that requires swift and direct action, which is what the AFP is continuing to do. Along with our law enforcement partners, we are committed to stopping hate, division and violence in the community.”
The Canberra arrest came as immigration minister Tony Burke cancelled the visa of a UK national arrested in Queensland by an NSI team for alleged pro-Nazi X posts and swords with “swastika symbology”.
Mr Burke, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns have all been criticised for deflecting to “right-wing extremism” since the Bondi massacre, and for passing new legislation that does not address radical Islamic terrorism.
Header image: Left, the man being arrested in Canberra. Right, a flyer allegedly seized by police (AFP).
The post Aussies slam cops for arresting teen over alleged salutes instead of hunting down Muslim terrorists first appeared on The Noticer.
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