Victorian government to ban nazi salute as Liberal MP is expelled for participating in anti-trans rally. Source: Parliament of Victoria, Wikimedia Commons
The Victorian government has confirmed it will ban the nazi salute as Liberal MP Moira Deeming is set to be expelled from the party after participating in an anti-trans rally alongside neo-Nazis.
The ‘Let Women Speak’ event was held by British anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull outside Victorian parliament on Sunday.
Moira Deeming actively participated in and spoke at this event, where a group of neo-Nazis joined in and repeatedly performed the nazi salute, causing counter protests and violence.
Opposition leader John Pesutto said he spoke to Ms Deeming on Sunday afternoon about her involvement in the rally.
Mr Pesutto confirmed there would be a motion at the next party meeting to expel Ms Deeming as a member of the parliamentary Liberal Party, declaring her position “untenable.”
“Moira Deeming not only attended this protest on the steps of parliament, but was actively involved in different ways in the organisation and promotion of this protest at which there were speakers with known links to neo-Nazis,” Mr Pesutto told the ABC.
“I won’t have any of it… These values that we saw on the steps of parliament were not consistent with the values I and the Liberal Party stand for.
“What I’m doing is a statement that we will not tolerate or ever accept any association with neo-Nazis and white supremacists or anybody who sympathises with them.”
Mr Pesutto also said the Liberal Party would support the government in outlawing the nazi salute.
Attorney-General Jaclyn Syme said the government would introduce legislation to ban the nazi salute. The use of the swastika is already illegal.
“The behaviour we saw on the weekend was disgraceful and cowardly,” Syme said.
“It’s clear this symbol is being used to incite hatred not just towards Jewish people, but our LGBTIQ+ community and other minority groups.”
“Victorians have zero tolerance of this behaviour and so do we. That’s why we’ll expand our nation-leading legislation banning the Nazi Hakenkreuz to include the Nazi salute — because everyone deserves to feel safe, welcome and included in Victoria.”
