The police are investigating whether an ex-ABC-Gastheer has violated the law by performing a Nazi greeting on stage during a comic skit.
Tom Ballard, an ABC and former Triple J -Radio presenter, did a routine in the Comedy Club in Melbourne on Saturday evening, when he had repeatedly carried out the greeting as part of his skiing.
Some members filmed the moment before they shared the images with the media.
A spokeswoman for the Victoria Police said on Thursday that they had video of the incident and were investigating, although no complaints had been submitted.
“Victoria Police is aware of a video that represents a man who reportedly performs a Nazi -greeting during a comic version in Melbourne,” she said.
“At this stage we were not informed of reports to the police, but we are currently inquiring to the incident.”
Victoria's multicultural minister Ingrid Stitt also warned that Ballard could be contrary to laws that prohibit Nazi greeting.
Aussie-comedian Tom Ballard was closed by the Jewish community after performing what seemed to be a Nazi-greeting during a stand-up show (the moment is shown)
Although she said that the gesture might have meant as a comical, there was 'no place' for Nazi greetings in Victoria.
“I don't know how someone could find that funny in the current context,” said Mrs. Stitt.
“There is no room for that kind of hatred, not even if it is in the context of comedy.”
“It's a nice line and I think people should be sensitive to the pain that happens in the community and the real, real feelings of uncertainty among some in our community at the moment.”
Nazi symbols and gestures were forbidden by the Victorian government in October 2023 to “send a clear message that the Nazi ideology and the hatred it represents is not tolerated” in the state.
“There are various exceptions to the violation, including where the display is made reasonably and in good faith for real academic, religious, artistic or educational purposes,” says the Victorian government website.
Ballard's piece started with him and said, “You can't do anything in Australia” and that the position of a person when they waved a greeting to someone was central to the question of whether they are breaking the law.
The comedian is known for his strong left -wing views and he is a vocal member and supporter of the Greens who have performed fundraisers for the party.
Anti-Defamation Commission President Dr. Dvir Abramovich said he would use the gesture for laughs, was to 'dishealthy' the memory of Jews who died by the Third Reich.
“The performance of Tom Ballard was not a comedy, it was cruelty disguised as humor,” he said.
“This wasn't just a bad joke; It was a slap in the face of the victims, the Gravers who sacrificed their lives to defeat Hitler and to those who endured the atrocities of the Holocaust.
“The Nazi greeting is not edgy or funny, it is a hate weapon that encourages neo-Nazis and white supremacists.”
Dr. Abramovich has demanded an apology from the comedy club of the basement and added that he was not on the comedy, but that some subjects were 'too holy'.
Daily Mail Australia contacted the Basement Comedy Club and Ballard for comment.
