Australia's Federal Government has announced counterterrorism financing sanctions on the white supremacist terrorist network Terrorgram.
The online network operates on encrypted messaging app Telegram and supports white supremacy and racially motivated violence.
It is now a criminal offence to use, make or deal with assets on Terrorgram, with penalties for using the site including up to 10 years’ imprisonment and or heavy fines.
This is the first time the Australian Government has imposed counter-terrorism financing sanctions on an entity based entirely online.
In a statement, Senator Penny Wong said that this plan was set to disrupt the activities of terrorists and violent extremists and prevent them from recruiting and radicalising people online.
“There is no place in Australia for antisemitism, hatred or violence,” said Wong.
The move is said to be a part of the Department of Foreign Affairs efforts to combat a spree of antisemitic behaviour in the country.
However on ABC News Breakfast this morning Wong declined to say whether the white supremacist network slapped with sanctions was linked to the recent antisemitic attacks in Sydney.
"I'm not going to get into ongoing investigations because we want to make sure police can do their jobs and … everyone involved in the incidents you described can be apprehended and face the full force of the law," Wong told ABC.
"This is an online network which is all about extremism, white supremacists, people who spread hate and we have to use all the tools at our disposal to keep people safe, to keep Australians safe and to prevent our kids being radicalised online and this is a very important step by the government."
Additional counter-terrorism financing sanctions have been listed on four other entities that promote nationalist and racist violent extremist ideologies including, the National Socialist Order, the Russian Imperial Movement, Sonnenkrieg Division and The Base.
The Albanese Government has also imposed sanctions on Hizballah’s new Secretary-General, Mr Naim Qassem as a result of the organisation's participation in conflict and civilian deaths in the Middle East.
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