A neo-Nazi group that disrupted an Indigenous mourning ceremony at a Melbourne council today should be charged by police,according to Victoria’s state opposition.
None of the black-clad individuals involved were arrested at the scene at Coburg Town Hall this morning,with police afterwards stating they would “review body-worn camera footage to determine whether any offences occurred”.
Footage seen by this masthead shows the group holding their banners and performing Nazi salutes on Sydney Road in Coburg with a police car monitoring after the incident at the town hall.
Last year the Andrews Labor government,with anyone who intentionally displays symbols in public facing a year in prison or a $22,000 fine.
The government today signalled it would be open to bolstering laws to deal with behaviour displayed by the neo-Nazi group if police found a crime hadn’t occurred.
“We’ve been clear there’s no place for this hateful ideology in Victoria – public demonstrations and displays such as these do nothing but cause further pain and division,” a spokesman said.
“The government will continue to monitor the use of hate symbols and vilification and may consider further legislative reforms at a later stage.”
But shadow Attorney-General Michael O’Brien said it would be “hard to believe that existing laws can’t deal with this conduct” and see the individuals charged.
Victoria’s equal opportunity,anti-vilification and public order laws should be able to deal with these attempted provocations from a sad little rabble.
Many Australians lost their lives in wars fighting against fascism,so it is appalling to see neo-Nazis disrupting public events on Australia Day.
Acts of intimidation and racial intolerance have no place in our community and will never be tolerated.