Opposition Leader Brad Battin hits back at Minister Steve Dimopoulos over neo-Nazi supporter jab

Opposition Leader Brad Battin has fired back at remarks made by a senior Allan government minister over claims he failed to unequivocally condemn neo-Nazis at a rally last year.

Opposition Leader Brad Battin has accused a senior Allan government minister of using Victoria’s Jewish community as political bait.

On Monday, Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos launched a scathing attack on Mr Battin, claiming he had not been strong enough in condemning neo-Nazis in Victoria.

It comes after the Herald Sun this weekend revealed Joel Davis, a known member of white supremacy group National Socialist Network, claimed Mr Battin invited neo-Nazis to a rally in his Berwick electorate in November last year to protest the renaming of a lake in honour of the local Sikh community.

Mr Battin has since categorically denied that allegation.

He immediately left last year’s rally as soon as he became aware that a group of men dressed in black, including Mr Davis, had turned up.

Joel Davis is a known member of white supremacy group National Socialist Network. Picture: 7News

When contacted by the Herald Sun over the weekend, Mr Battin said there is “no place for hate filled people in our state, period”.

But Mr Dimopoulos, speaking at a government press conference on Monday, accused Mr Battin of using “weasel words”, claiming that he failed to unequivocally condemn Nazis.

“There’s a small number of people who are offensive, but I’ve got to tell what I feel is even more offensive than those people, (it) is people in power like Brad Battin, the leader of the Liberal Party in Victoria, who doesn’t really unequivocally, clearly, with strong language, come out and disown those people,” Mr Dimopoulos said.

Tourism, sport and major events minister Steve Dimopoulos accused Brad Battin of “weasel words” for failing to publicly condemn neo-Nazis. Picture: Graham Denholm

“Those same neo-Nazis have now said that he invited them to that ridiculous protest he had where he was protesting against the naming of a lake. That’s more concerning to me that a member of parliament, the alternative Premier of Victoria, won’t really clearly strongly come out against these neo-Nazis.

“They have no room to move when both parts of the political spectrum are in lockstep. We are, we’ve always been in lockstep against hatred, against neo-Nazis. Brad Battin needs to step up, and that’s not politics, that’s just life. He needs to step up and say to these people you are wrong, and you are disgraceful.”

Brad Battin called Mr Dimopoulos a “disgrace” over the comments. Picture: David Crosling

Just hours later, Mr Battin launched his own attack back at Mr Dimopoulos, labelling his comments an “absolute disgrace”.

“I would never, ever in my life stand beside, near or around a neo-Nazi. I would call them out for the scum they are,” Mr Battin said.

“For Steve Dimopoulos to use this as a political ploy is an absolute disgrace and he should be held to account for that.

“The Jewish community are not a political play tool. They are here as community members in Victoria and I’m very proud to have them here.”

Mr Battin said the Allan government hadn’t done enough to crack-down on rising anti-Semitism across the state.

“Our Jewish community who I have met with are petrified walking to school and the answer from government for too long has been putting walls around those prisons and armed staff at the entrance,” he said.

“In a Victoria that I lead, I want to make sure every single person can feel safe walking down the street, sending their child to school and making sure they can practice their religion.”

Originally published as Opposition Leader Brad Battin hits back at Minister Steve Dimopoulos over neo-Nazi supporter jab