The neo-Nazi who sparked a firestorm when he led a rally outside Parliament is an Adolf Hitler-worshipping air conditioner installer whose views have been publicly disavowed by his parents.
Sydney tradie Jack Eltis, 28, was behind a National Socialist Network protest at NSW state parliament on Saturday, which saw 67 men dressed in black chanting antisemitic slogans and holding a banner that read ‘Abolish the Jewish Lobby’.
The demonstration spurred outrage as Australians demanded to know why the rally was allowed to go ahead, as politicians scrambled to close the legal loopholes that gave it the green light.
Now, Eltis – a young father who openly admires Hitler and refers to Germany as the ‘motherland’ – has been unmasked as the organiser of the controversial event.
The business owner, who refuses to serve non-white customers, has claimed his family and friends have no problem with him being the head of the neo-Nazi movement in NSW.
However, just last year, his parents publicly distanced themselves from their son’s views after they were targeted on social media.
‘As some of you know, our son Jack Eltis has involved himself in a Neo Nazi organisation,’ his father Matt wrote online.
‘None of our family condone or support this organisation. Jack is a grown adult and has made his decisions.
Neo-Nazi leader Jack Eltis (pictured) runs an air conditioner installation business in Sydney
Jack Eltis (pictured) addressing the neo-Nazi rally at NSW Parliament last Saturday
Eltis is pictured with his father in his youth before being disavowed by his parents
‘We all have children, raise them, guide them as best we can – ultimately they choose their path.
‘Life is short, be kind to everyone.’
Family photos of Eltis show him as a bright-eyed youth wearing braces on his teeth, who once enjoyed celebrating birthdays with his close relatives, as well as going to footy matches and festivals together.
The images are a stark contrast to the scenes at last weekend’s rally, which saw ranks of men in black, standing shoulder-to-shoulder chanting ‘blood and honour’ – an infamous motto of the Hitler Youth movement.
The event, which lasted approximately seven minutes, was approved by NSW Police following a Form 1 application submitted by the White Australia group on October 28.
However, both NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon and Premier Chris Minns said they were unaware of the protest until after it occurred.
Premier Minns described the rally as ‘racist, violent, and often horrifying’.
NSW Police were slammed for allowing the rally to be held, with politicians and community leaders condemning the event, calling it a ‘shameful act of hate’ and a chilling threat to Australia’s multicultural values.
Eltis is a young father from Sydney
He is pictured attending a medieval event in his fresh-faced youth
His father said that despite guiding your children as best as you can, ‘ultimately they choose their path’
The scenes created a political furore and sparked an apology from Deputy Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell, who knew about the demonstration but failed to brief his new boss, Commissioner Mal Lanyon.
Eltis joined the National Socialist Network in 2021 and said the group, which once boasted just three members in the NSW chapter, is now approaching close to 100.
‘We recruit all sorts of men – blue collar, white collar, from 16 all the way through to like 65 years old. Most work normal 9 to 5 or 7 to 3 jobs,’ Eltis told The Daily Telegraph.
He said the NSN was receiving significant legal advice, to curate their protest permits and determine how much they could get away with at public rallies.
‘We go up to the legal threshold – up to the maximum that we can’ he said.
‘Most of the members are happy to show their face and espouse their political beliefs to the public now.’
The Age reported Eltis went on a study tour to Germany to meet a far-right group as part of the National Socialist Network’s push to register as a political party and run for seats in Australia’s state and federal parliaments.
Eltis confirmed they were preparing to launch a political party, ‘White Australia’, early next year.
NSW Premier Chris Minns (pictured) warned anyone who put their name to a neo-Nazi political party risked being exposed as a racist
Deputy Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell, who had knowledge of the demonstration, failed to brief his new boss Commissioner Mal Lanyon (pictured)
Jack Eltis (pictured) said the NSW chapter had grown from three to almost 100 members
‘We want to do state and federal (elections), starting with federal. Our platform is racism. Mass deportations.’
He said the group was about ’90 percent’ through the application process.
Registering a federal political party with the Australian Electoral Commission involves selecting a name and logo within the requirements of the Electoral Act, drafting a constitution, paying a $500 fee and assembling at least 1,500 members.
Minns said on Wednesday the NSW Electoral Commissioner had a public interest test available when determining registration, and while it was an independent decision, he assumed ‘that a nakedly racist organisation would be a very strong risk’ of failing that test.
The Premier also warned the names of anyone who was prepared to sign on as a political member risked being publicly associated with Nazis in NSW.
‘Despite what the organisers of the party will tell you, this information may well become public and you’ll be exposed as a racist,’ Minns warned.
NSW Police are monitoring the NSN’s activities in Sydney, including their regular public gatherings where they engage in physical activity including mixed martial arts and power-lifting.
It is a requirement of NSN members to meet once a month.
