A political history of national action: its fears, ideas, tactics and conflicts

Nation Action began in 1982 as a student based radical nationalist group opposed to increased Asian immigration and multiculturalism in Australia. Adopting early to mid 20th century labourist policies, and blending them with traditional Australian radical nationalism, the group aimed to increase its appeal and membership through militant propaganda campaigns. However, its authoritarian structure and tactics fractured the group internally and prompted opponents to describe it as a neo-Nazi organisation. Such labelling served only to enhance its appeal to people who espoused white supremacist beliefs and were prepared to engage in increasingly violent behaviour. This examination of National Action suggests that the group was unable to develop either an effective organisational structure or a relevant set of ideas and objectives that could win it the broad popular support it sought. While aiming to rise above student-based politics, National Action never realised this goal and subsequently declined into obscurity.