Golden Dawn members headed to Australia
THE Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) has stood shoulder to shoulder with senior representatives of Australia’s Greek community in condemning a planned visit this week by members of far-right Greek party Golden Dawn.
The AJN first reported that members of the party were planning a visit in September. It has now been revealed that Georgios Epitideios, a member of the European Parliament, and Michalis Giannagkonas, a party organiser, were set to visit Sydney and Melbourne this week.
ECAJ executive director Peter Wertheim said Golden Dawn’s hate-filled ideology and violent methods “have no legitimate place in contemporary Australia”.
“Golden Dawn tries to present a respectable front to the rest of the world by playing down its extremist beliefs and methods to the media,” he said.
“But to their own supporters, and potential recruits, they highlight their violent attacks on immigrants, ultra-nationalism, anti-Semitism and other forms of racism, and use of flags and salutes that bear a striking similarity to those used by the Nazis.
“I have been in touch with the leaders of the Australian Greek community and we all speak with one voice on this issue. If Golden Dawn’s representatives are allowed to enter Australia one hopes that they have been warned of their obligation to obey Australian laws while they are here, including Part IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act. If they commit a breach, they should be ejected from Australia forthwith.”
Jewish Melbourne Ports MP Michael Danby has written to Immigration Minister Scott Morrison asking him to deny the group visas.
“I told the Minister that this far-right, racist group, intend to fundraise in Australia and promote their hate-filled, racist, neo-Nazi ideologies. As of yet we have not heard back,” he said.
“Golden Dawn and other neo-fascist groups like it have no place in tolerant, multicultural Australia.”
When The AJN contacted Morrison’s office, the minister’s response was identical to one he gave in September: “I have been advised that the individuals currently have no matters before the Department.”
GARETH NARUNSKY
Golden Dawn leader Nikolaos Mihaloliakos.
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