A man from Canberra who publicly displayed a Nazi salute and distributed stickers promoting white supremacist views on a university campus has not distanced himself from these beliefs, as revealed in court proceedings.
Zachery James Hook, who pleaded guilty earlier this year at the ACT Magistrates Court, admitted to making a Nazi salute in public between October and December of the previous year and behaving offensively on Commonwealth property from August to September.
Hook, then 18, faced allegations of performing Nazi salutes at two shopping centers and placing white supremacist stickers over signs representing Indigenous and multicultural communities at the Australian National University (ANU).
His legal troubles began with a police operation that led to a raid at his residence in Weston on Christmas Eve, resulting in six charges against him. Following his guilty pleas, four of these charges were dismissed.
While awaiting sentencing, Hook has been released on bail.
Stickers promoting anxiety on campus
Court documents indicate that during his visits to the ANU campus in August and September 2025, Hook carried stickers with messages such as “National Socialist Network,” “Australia for the white man,” and “White revolution is the only solution.” The National Socialist Network, a neo-Nazi organization, was banned earlier this year under Australian hate speech regulations.
Hook affixed these stickers over signs for the Tjabal Indigenous Higher Education Centre, which serves as a support hub for First Nations students and staff, as well as inside the university’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) department.
One sticker that asserted Australia should belong to “the White Man” was placed over a poster that promoted multiculturalism and the appreciation of diverse cultures, as well as on a collage addressing decolonization and the experiences of First Peoples.
During the sentencing hearing, a victim impact statement from Anne Martin, the director of the Tjabal Indigenous Education Centre, was presented. Professor Martin expressed her responsibility for the wellbeing and safety of Indigenous students at the university.
She indicated that the stickers had instilled significant anxiety among students and staff, including herself. Since the incidents, she noted a loss of the sense of safety she once felt, unsure if these acts were isolated or indicative of an escalation in hostility.
“The centre is meant to be a safe space for students,” she stated in her statement. “The actions taken on campus have disrupted that sense of security.” Martin urged Hook to reflect on the consequences of his actions, particularly on others, emphasizing that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their skin color. She expressed hope that he would make more positive contributions to the community in the future.
Failure to renounce extremist beliefs
The court also noted two instances where Hook performed Nazi salutes in public. On October 5, he posted a sign reading “White Man Fight Back” at the O’Connor shopping area. After bystanders removed the poster along with another one from a nearby bus stop, Hook confronted a woman about her actions. He insisted, “It’s not scary, it’s just people loving their own kind,” and subsequently performed a Nazi salute while using an anti-Semitic phrase as he departed.
During the sentencing, the prosecution highlighted that Hook had initially pleaded not guilty and only changed his plea after multiple court appearances. They noted that he had not taken the opportunity to disavow his extremist views in any letters submitted to the court, nor did his parents’ letter indicate any change in his beliefs. The prosecutor described Hook’s characterization of his actions as “inappropriate” as deeply insufficient and lacking evidence of remorse or contrition.
Defense attorney Sam Collett urged the court to consider Hook’s youth, as he is just 19 years old and has no prior criminal record. Collett mentioned that since the incidents, Hook had experienced harassment, including a rodent being left in his letterbox and eggs thrown at his home. While acknowledging that Hook was responsible for these actions, Collett argued that his client had shown signs of self-reflection and had made efforts to reconnect with his family for support.
Taking these factors into account, Collett requested a suspended sentence to allow Hook to remain in the community. Hook faces a minimum sentence of 12 months, with the case scheduled to return to court later this month.
