The far right in Australia is taking leadership of the anti-vax, anti-lockdown movement. These extremists are radicalizing the movement, both politically and tactically.

On the evening of November 12, right-wing activists rallied outside the home of Victorian MP Andy Meddick of the Animal Justice Party. At the protest in Melbourne on November 13, several marchers turned up carrying nooses and a model guillotine. From the stage, one speaker attempted to start a chant of “Hang Dan Andrews.”

So far, these threats of violence have been merely performative. Nevertheless, they suggest the rising to prominence of a movement that’s gaining confidence as it shifts rightward. Initially, the protests were aimed at undermining public health measures. However, in recent months, the organizers have broadened their focus to include other far-right talking points, such as attacking Victoria’s Labor premier, Dan Andrews, as a “socialist” and “communist.” The Australian far right is also updating its ideology with a toxic cocktail of “New World Order” conspiracy theories and opposition to public health measures, concealed under libertarian rhetoric about personal freedom.