Anthony Albanese condemns ‘evil forces’ after neo-nazis take to Adelaide streets

Anthony Albanese has condemned the “evil forces” at work seeking to divide and sprout hate after a Survival Day rally was infiltrated by neo-nazis.

Sixteen people believed to be part of the National Socialist Network were arrested on Sunday after marching through Adelaide’s CBD – on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the Auschwitz liberation and Holocaust Remembrance Day.

A 16-year-old Victorian boy was the youngest of the group to be charged - with failing to cease loiter - while a 25-year-old WA man was the only man charged with using a nazi symbol.

Premier Roger Cook said he had not been briefed on the involvement of West Australians, but was alarmed by a WA-based social media account that appeared to be recruiting members.

“It’s of huge concern and we know that they are an insidious poison which is seeking to leech their way across the WA community and society,” he said.

He challenged the neo-Nazi protesters to remove their masks.

“Come out of the shadows, show us who you are, because at the moment you’re cowards,” Mr Cook said.

“You’re cowards that are simply trying to spread ignorance, division, fear and hatred in the community, you’re not welcome in WA. Show yourselves so we can all challenge you.”

SA Police charged a number of other men from across the country with possessing article of disguise, and one 23-year-old Victorian man was charged with assaulting police.

The Prime Minister praised SA police for reacting so quickly to what he said were “horrific scenes” of white supremacists marching through the streets.

“There is no place for this hateful ideology here in Australia or, indeed, anywhere else,” he said.

“Today, of all days, when we commemorate 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz- Birkenau concentration camp from the Nazis, from the atrocities that occurred during the Holocaust which cost 6 million lives, today of all days . . . I was shocked by that.”

Mr Albanese on Monday pledged $6.4 million to build a national Holocaust education centre in Canberra and to upgrade a facility in Western Australia that does school workshops.

The Coalition has made its own funding promise of $2 million to support the Holocaust Institute.

Mr Albanese on Monday backed in comments by Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus – in Poland to attend the commemoration event with Foreign Minister Penny Wong – who criticised the Opposition for politicising the Holocaust and anti-Semitism.

Senator Wong has been heavily criticised for attending the event, but Mr Dreyfus said Coalition critiquing of her presence was “grotesque” and said “we need to get politics out” of combatting anti-Semitism.