A neo-Nazi group defied a mountain climbing ban and unfurled a banner claiming it as “the white man” after it was closed due to its importance to Aboriginal Australians.
Members of the far-right group National Socialist Network were seen masked in balaclavas on Mount Warning in New South Wales, holding a banner proclaiming “Mount Warning to the White Man” from a summit lookout and then attaching it to a fence.
One of the men dressed in black uniform holds an Australian flag, while two others display the neo-Nazi flag.
Mount Warning, now known as Wollumbin, was closed to climbers along its trail four years ago amid the Covid pandemic, but has since remained closed due to its cultural importance to indigenous Australians, particularly the nation Bundjalung.
“The Queensland National Socialist Network traveled to climb Mount Warning last weekend,” the group said.
“White Australians established and maintained the trail for almost a century, and white Australians will decide who climbs it.”
In August, a hiking activist and a New South Wales state MP also challenged a ban on climbing the mountain near Murwillumbah in northern New South Wales.
Members of the far-right National Socialist Network group in Queensland stage a protest at Mount Warning, which has been closed to non-Indigenous people.
NSW Upper House MP John Ruddick and Marc Hendrickx of the Right to Climb advocacy group were photographed posing with their arms around each other’s shoulders on the summit viewing deck wearing Libertarian Party-branded clothing .
‘Access to these wonderful natural places is part of what really underlies and builds our Australian character; “And if we couldn’t access these places, then it would really be like an attack on being Australian,” Mr Hendrickx said.
‘Mount Warning is genuinely a charismatic mountain and so I understand why some Aboriginal groups say it’s a sacred mountain, but I agree with other Aboriginal groups who say, “look, it’s sacred, but it’s so sacred that everyone should be able to climb it.” “. “said Mr. Ruddick.
A black-clad and masked member of the group was seen tying the sign to the overlook fence.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia in August, both men criticized the current rules around Mount Warning, the poor state of its walking trails and the state government for continually extending its closure.
New South Wales National Parks has defended the ban
“Wollumbin is very important to Aboriginal people, particularly the Bundjalung nation,” it said.
“Visitors are asked to respect their wishes and not climb the summit trail.”
“Decisions about the future of the summit route will be made by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service in accordance with the wishes of the Aboriginal custodians.”
Traditional custodians have been represented by the Wollumbin Consultative Group, which represents a range of Aboriginal groups and families with connections to Wollumbin, according to its website.
NSW Upper House MP John Ruddick (left) and Marc Hendrickx, a member of the advocacy group Right to Climb, (right) climbed the Wollumbin-Mount Warning summit trail on Saturday despite the track has been closed to the public since 2020.
The group previously caused a stir when it claimed that allowing women, including those of indigenous descent, into the site would ruin its cultural significance.
It has also been criticized for its “secrecy” and the difficulty of obtaining a response.
“I have no confidence in them,” Mr. Ruddick said.
‘They are a very reserved group. “I have requested several times at the national parks to have meetings with them, but they have denied me access,” Mr. Hendrickx said.
‘I have not been able to get in touch, obtain phone numbers, or establish contact with them. I would love to be able to sit down at a table and discuss the issue face to face.’
Ruddick submitted a petition to the New South Wales parliament in August calling for the immediate reopening of the Wollumbin Mount Warning summit route earlier this year.
Mount Warning is famous because it is the highest peak at the easternmost point of Australia, making it the first part of Australia to receive sunlight each day.
The MP said its closure is costing the region millions in lost tourism revenue and called the decision to close it a “power grab.”
“This closure is hurting this town, there used to be hundreds of thousands of people who would come and climb this incredible, unique mountain and they’re not coming anymore,” Mr Ruddick said.
“I spent about seven hours here yesterday with the local community at the pub, which is the town’s main gathering place, and none of the people I met said they had ever heard it was a sacred Aboriginal site until Covid.” .’
Mount Warning is famous because it is the highest peak at the easternmost point of Australia, making it the first part of Australia to receive sunlight each day.
The peak attracted more than 127,000 visitors each year before the scenic trail in Tweed County closed in March 2020.