General News
14 August, 2023
Nazi swastikas painted on local road cause outrage
Jewish rights organisation Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) has expressed its horror at two Nazi swastikas painted on the Maryborough-Dunolly Road near Bet Bet last week — an act that is illegal in Victoria. The two symbols were painted over a few...
Jewish rights organisation Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) has expressed its horror at two Nazi swastikas painted on the Maryborough-Dunolly Road near Bet Bet last week — an act that is illegal in Victoria.
The two symbols were painted over a few days after appearing but the commission said it was alerted to the vandalism by a Jewish woman in her 60s and her son who were shocked and angered when they encountered it early last week.
Images of the swastikas were shared on a local community Facebook group where moderators suggested the symbols were painted to provoke action to repair potholes on the road, an idea the ADC rejected.
In a statement, ADC chair Dr Dvir Abramovich said the person responsible for drawing the symbols should be prosecuted.
“This is not just graffiti on a road, scrawled by cowards who seek to instil fear in our communities, it is an assault on our collective way of life and sense of safety,” he said.
“Symbols matter and those individuals, who took the time to deliberately express their cruel and vicious bigotry, are walking among us with evil in their hearts.
“There is no room in Victoria for such sickening intimidation, and I hope that those individuals who are responsible for this ugly act are identified and punished accordingly.
“In fact, they should be prosecuted under the new law that bans the public displays of the Nazi swastika.”
In Victoria, as of December 29, 2022 it is illegal to publically display Nazi symbols. Any person who commits this offence could face a fine of approximately $22,000, 12 months imprisonment, or both.
The Federal Government announced earlier this year that it will introduce legislation to ban swastikas and other Nazi symbols Australia-wide.
Maryborough Police said they had not received any reports of the symbols.