From its clubhouses in Melbourne and Sydney, the Lads Society promotes drug-free living and exercise — and "white resistance" and Islamophobia, according to online statements and interviews with two of its leaders.

One of Australia's most high-profile extremist groups, its members last year infiltrated the youth arm of the National Party, part of the ruling coalition government, before being exposed and ejected due to their far-right views.

Now the group has come to prominence again — and to the attention of security agencies — after a gunman shot 50 people dead at two New Zealand mosques.