Posters of Josh Frydenberg, Monique Ryan vandalised in anti-Semitic attack

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has released images of two people who defaced his federal election posters with swastikas, slamming their actions as an “obscene crime”.

A vandal in a Sea Shepherd jumper has been caught on camera defacing campaign boards for federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

CCTV footage appears to show a woman graffitiing the MP’s campaign billboard while a man stood watch.

The woman was wearing a jumper branded Sea Shepherd, a marine conservation organisation.

Mr Frydenberg confirmed the footage had been handed over to Victoria Police for investigation.

The alleged offenders were seen wearing Sea Sheppard branded clothing.

“Security cameras have caught environmental extremists in the act of vandalising my campaign boards,” he said.

“This is a criminal offence, with the footage passed on to police.”

Security cameras have caught environmental extremists in the act of vandalising my campaign boards. This is a criminal offence, with the footage passed on to police.

Hundreds of my boards have been defaced over recent weeks, including swastikas and obscene language. pic.twitter.com/CXxFEvcBit

— Josh Frydenberg (@JoshFrydenberg) May 2, 2022

Days ago, Mr Frydenberg declared he was facing the fight of his political life as he risks losing the seat of Kooyong to independent Monique Ryan.

He said “hundreds” of his campaign boards have been defaced over the course of the election campaign, including some with swastikas.

Mr Frydenberg added his electoral office has also been targeted by “environmental extremists” in the past.

“This is not the first time environmental extremists have attacked our property - with Extinction Rebellion damaging our office, setting off flares, harassing staff, and requiring emergency services to be diverted from their important work to intervene and make arrests.”

Victoria Police has been contacted for comment.

Frydenberg poster vandalised in anti-Semitic attack

Election campaign posters of Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and independent Kooyong candidate Monique Ryan were defaced with swastikas.

There are concerns neo-Nazi extremists are “ramping up their sickening campaign of harassment” in Melbourne.

Mr Frydenberg described the vandalism as an obscene crime that needs to stop.

“Swastikas are a reminder of a dark past and it’s our collective duty to say never again,” he wrote on Twitter.

Ms Ryan also called out the vandals, saying: “There’s no place for hatred in politics. We’re better than this.”

Monique Ryan called out the vandals who defaced the poster. Picture: Twitter

Josh Frydenberg posted that swastikas were a reminder of a dark past. Picture: Twitter

The shocking attacks come as Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, warned anti-Semitism was spreading in Melbourne.

“This is not just graffiti on a billboard — it is a repulsive and ugly assault on our democratic system and on our core principles, and I never I thought I’d say this, but this is becoming the norm,” he said.

“The vile stampede of neo-Nazi defacement that has defiled our city is reaching pitch fever and must be countered.

“We cannot let our guard as homegrown extremists are ramping up their sickening campaign of harassment and we need to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to this growing societal virus.”

Dr Abramovich added: “We stand firmly with Josh Frydenberg and Monique Ryan during this difficult time and trust that those who carried out this crime are identified and are brought to justice”.