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 up to 25 years in jail if convicted of an offence.
The federal government says the group provides instructions on how to conduct a terrorist attack and has been responsible for inspiring terror events in the US, Europe and Asia.
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 that serious criminal penalties would be faced by anyone who wanted to engage in Terrorgram.
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