Zachery James Hook (main photo) admitted to placing white supremacy-themed stickers (inserted) around the ANU. These two stickers have been partially blurred in this image to hide some of their offensive content. Photos: Albert McKnight/Tendered to the court.
CONTENT WARNING: This article contains phrases that some may find offensive.
A teenager appeared to praise Adolf Hitler in front of a politician, made Nazi salutes at two shopping centres and used pro-white supremacy stickers to deface First Nations Peoples’ signs at the Australian National University (ANU).
Zachery James Hook, 19, became the second person in Canberra to plead guilty to making a Nazi salute in public when he faced the ACT Magistrates Court this week.
According to newly obtained court documents, he was 18 when he went to the ANU campus twice in August and September 2025.
He walked through the university carrying stickers that contained phrases like ‘National Socialist Network’ and ‘Australia for the white man’, as well as others that said, ‘White revolution is the only solution’.
Hook pasted the stickers onto signs for the Tjabal Indigenous Higher Education Centre as well as on a cabinet and door in the Black, Indigenous and People of Colour building.
The Tjabal Centre provides a meeting place and support base for the First Nations students and staff at the university.
The National Socialist Network is a Neo-Nazi group that was banned earlier this year under the Australian Government’s hate speech laws.
“In placing a sticker advocating a ‘white’ revolution on a sign relating to Indigenous higher education, and noting the similarity between the reference to ‘the Only Solution’ and ‘the Final Solution’, the defendant behaved offensively,” prosecutors said in the court documents.
Member for Brindabella, Caitlin Tough (pictured), was approached by Zachery James Hook (not pictured) before he made an offensive gesture. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Then, on 5 October 2025, Hook went to the O’Connor shops and put a poster reading ‘White man fight back’ on a pole.
Members of the public removed this poster as well as a second one from a nearby bus stop.
Hook saw the woman taking down the bus stop poster and confronted her, asking why she was removing it.
“It’s not scary; it’s just people loving their own kind,” he told her.
He started to walk away, but then turned around, made a Nazi salute and said, “Heil Hitler”.
Finally, Hook went to the Chisholm shops on 12 December 2025 and spotted ACT Labor’s Member for Brindabella Caitlin Tough, whom he recognised from social media.
The court documents say he tried to speak to her about multiculturalism, but she disagreed with his views and tried to end their conversation.
He then performed a Nazi salute and repeatedly said, “Heil Hitler”.
“The defendant’s conduct involved the dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or racial hatred,” prosecutors said in the documents.
Ms Tough was contacted about the incident, but a spokesperson told Region she had no comment.
Hook pleaded guilty to charges of offensive behaviour and making a Nazi salute in public.
His bail has been continued, and sentencing will take place on 3 September.
The charge of making a Nazi salute in public carries a maximum sentence of five years’ jail. However, as Hook will be sentenced in the Magistrates Court, he will only face a maximum of 12 months’ imprisonment.
If this story has raised concerns for you or someone you know, you can contact:
Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978 or mensline.org.au.
Original Article published by Albert McKnight on Region Canberra.
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