The state government does not have the ability to stop a planned neo-Nazi concert going ahead this week in Melbourne, according to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.
Mr Andrews joined human rights, faith and union groups in condemning the concert, planned for Saturday, as a “hateful” event, but said there was a “deficiency” in Victoria’s laws which prevented the government from shutting it down.
The concert has been promoted by global white supremacist groups Southern Cross Hammerskins and Blood & Honour, whose branches have been banned in several countries, with members linked to extreme violence overseas.
“There’s no place in Victoria for concerts like that,” Mr Andrews said.
“This is ultimately a celebration of hate, and that doesn’t sit well with many Victorians at all … but it is important to acknowledge that there is a deficiency in our law, and I don’t think we’re in a position to be able to use the law to prevent such an activity happening.”
Mr Andrews said he and Attorney-General Jill Hennessy had recently met with Jewish community leaders to discuss concerns around rising anti-Semitism.
“There is a parliamentary inquiry into these matters going on at the moment,” he said.
“The government will make a submission to that important inquiry, and we’re very grateful that Jewish community leadership will help us work and inform the detailed submission that the government will make.”
Read the article by Rachel Baxendale in The Australian.