A group of neo-Nazis have clashed with anti-fascist counter-protesters on the steps of Victorian state parliament, with police intervening by using capsicum spray and making a number of arrests.
Members of a far-right group, who were dressed in black with masks covering their face, staged an anti-immigration rally in Melbourne’s CBD starting on Saturday morning.
However, they were outnumbered by counter-protesters, some of whom hurled objects at the group after they performed Nazi salutes, leading to swift police intervention.
While Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews moved to outlaw performing Nazi salutes following a protest in March, the change has not yet been legislated.
Many of the counter-protesters left to join a different rally in support of Palestine, the neo-Nazis were marched away from parliament by officers before dispersing.
The far-right protests were roundly condemned by both national and state political figures, with federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen calling the rally “unspeakably un-Australian”.
“It’s unacceptable. It’s not on,” he said.
“This is pure and simple racism and neo-Nazism is pure and simple evil.
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“It has no place in our country, it needs to be condemned and it is condemned by this government.”
He continued to say the neo-Nazis were “political lunatics who have no place in modern Australia”.
Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto, in a joint statement with deputy Liberal leader David Southwick, was similarly condemnatory.
“The Victorian Liberals and Nationals condemn neo-Nazi thugs and their toxic bigotry and hate,” the statement said.
“Australia has a proud history of an orderly immigration program where people from all backgrounds come together in shared liberal-democratic values.
“This sort of behaviour is completely unacceptable and against the values of an inclusive, tolerant and multicultural community.”
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