Think Tank Raises Concerns About Growing Number of Young Australians Engaging in Far-Right Extremism
The director of CRIS stated, ‘We’ve seen shifts in the demographic composition of those drawn into far-right extremist networks, narratives, and behaviors.’
A burgeoning number of young Australians are becoming involved in “right-wing extremism,” prompting concerns about its impact on the community, as shared during a Senate committee meeting. A Senate hearing on June 17 featured presentations from the Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies (CRIS) and the Addressing Violent Extremism and Radicalisation to Terrorism (AVERT) Network discussing the rise of far-right extremist movements in Australia in recent years.
According to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation’s definition, right-wing extremism encompasses “the support for violence to achieve political outcomes relating to ideologies, including but not limited to, white supremacism and neo-Nazism.”
Representatives from CRIS and AVERT Network noted an increase in these movements in Australia and their ability to attract new demographic groups. CRIS director and Deakin University Professor Michele Grossman highlighted the concerning trend of children, young individuals, and older Australians becoming more involved with extreme right ideologies than before.
Professor Grossman attributed the increasing involvement of young people in extremist movements to social media, which exposes them to various extremist content. She expressed worries about the strategic messaging tailored by right-wing extremist groups to attract young individuals.
One of the key concerns raised was that young people need to develop media literacy skills to prevent their involvement in right-wing extremism. Integrating media literacy education across the Australian education system was recommended as a proactive measure. The AVERT Network representative emphasized the importance of deradicalizing individuals who have not entirely committed to extreme ideologies.
Additionally, mentoring programs have been effective in guiding young people away from extremism by providing support, leadership, and a sense of belonging. Professor Grossman highlighted some successful mentoring initiatives that have helped steer individuals away from extremism.
Some experts have raised questions about the labels of left-wing and right-wing extremism, suggesting that these terms may not accurately reflect the complexities of modern political ideologies. Preston Manning and Mark Durie have voiced concerns about the overuse of these terms, advocating for more nuanced and accurate language in discussing political movements and extremism.
