Controversial MP Bernie Finn slammed for ‘repulsive’ Daniel Andrews Nazi tweet

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has said he “will deal with Bernie” Finn after the controversial MP posted an “indecent” tweet “weaponising the Holocaust”.

Controversial Liberal MP Bernie Finn has deleted an offensive post which compared Daniel Andrews to Adolf Hitler.

The Facebook post, which was swiftly deleted, referred to the premier as the “Despot” and likened Victoria’s current predicament to the Nazi regime.

“The Despot tells us we’ll be free – then rushes into parliament a Bill giving himself total control over almost everything,” Mr Finn wrote.

“Victorians’ freedom has not been under this sort of threat since World War II.

“It’s time for us all to fight again!”

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, who is already dealing with a major political scandal, said he would “deal with Bernie” in the next 24 hours.

“As you can appreciate, that gives me a lot to do in the next 24 hours,” he said.

When asked what he made of the controversial post, Mr Guy said he hadn’t physically seen it

Mr Guy said he hadn’t physically seen the controversial post but added: “From what I’ve heard, it sounds quite ridiculous”.

When asked how frustrating it was to be constantly pulled up on the behaviour of his MPs, Mr Guy said: “I think you can probably see the look of that on my face.”

MP Bernie Finn tweet comparing Dan Andrews to Adolf Hitler.

Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission Dr Dvir Abramovich said Mr Finn should do some soul searching.

“I shouldn’t have to say this, but comparing Premier Daniel Andrews to the monstrous Hitler is indecent and repulsive,” Dr Abramovich said.

“I’m fed up with public figures weaponising the Holocaust to make a point and to beat down those they disagree with. I have continuously registered my disgust at the manipulation and distortion of the Holocaust for political aims, and this occasion warrants a full-throated condemnation.

“While people are certainly entitled to express their views about the proposed pandemic laws by the Victorian government, it is beyond outrageous to compare them to the monstrous laws enacted by Hitler’s Third Reich or to claim that the laws are in any way similar to the ‘Final Solution’ that led to death camps, such as Auschwitz, where men, women and children were gassed to death.”

Controversial MP Bernie Finn has been slammed for a tweet comparing Daniel Andrews to Adolf Hitler. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Dr Abramovich said by posting the “ugly and hurtful image”, Mr Finn betrayed an ignorance as to what really happened in Nazi Germany.

“It’s time for him to apologise and to stop coarsening the debate,” he said.

“Such foolish equations demean the murder of millions of Jews and others, and are historically inaccurate and extreme.

“This image is also a spit on the memory and on the graves of those brave Diggers who fought to defeat the Nazis, and is inflicting further pain on Holocaust survivors living here.

“I would urge Mr Finn to talk with a Holocaust survivor so he can understand how wrong he is.”

Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes slammed Mr Finn as “playing on the fringes” of antisemitism and right wing conspiracy.

“It’s unacceptable to use images and references that promote hate and cause pain for so many,” she said.

“There’s no place for it in Victoria or in politics.

“While this government is in the process of banning the public display of Nazi symbols, Bernie Finn is playing on the fringes of antisemitism and right wing conspiracy.”

It is not the first time Mr Finn has attracted scandal with controversial social media posts and has recently faced mounting frustration from his fellow state Liberal MPs

In September, he provoked outrage by referring to Victoria Police as the “modern incarnation of the Despot’s militia” which included a public backlash from colleagues Brad Battin, Ryan Smith, Tim Smith and James Newbury.

Bernie Finn is no stranger to controversial social media posts. Picture: Sarah Matray

He has also posted on Facebook pro-Trump comments that appeared to support false claims of electoral fraud at the US election.

Mr Finn later posted that he did not support riots at the US capitol but dug in against the other side of politics immediately after.

“We wouldn’t have to wait two months for violence if Trump had won,” he wrote at the time.

When the electoral fraud posts were made, senior Liberal MP and Opposition Leader in the upper house David Davis hit back.

“I fundamentally disagree with them,” Mr Davis said.

“I don’t know why Bernie has made those comments. My view is that they are wrong.”

Scandals have become so common for Liberal MPs that there has been a significant push within the Liberal party to stop him being preselected ahead of the state election.