Two Golden Dawn MPs are set to visit Australia in October to address events in Melbourne and Sydney.
According to the far-right political party’s local spokesperson, Ignatius Gavrilidis, European Parliament MPs Eleftherios Synadinos and Georgios Epitideios are coming to Australia ‘to raise funds and increase awareness among Greek Australians’.
According to Mr Gavrilidis, the party has between 60 and 70 “activists” and claims that thousands of “supporters” exist in Australia, a figure he says he has determined from social media use.
He says many of the supporters do not want to be publically identified.
In his interview with the ABC, Mr Gavrilidis denied Golden Dawn was a neo-Nazi party, but acknowledged that some of its members admired Adolf Hitler.
“Yes, they have admired the leadership of Hitler, just like we also admire the leadership of many strong leaders across the world. Vladimir Putin is a very strong leader. He’s got integrity. Benjamin Netanyahu is a very strong leader,” he said.
Former Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, Nicholas Kotsiras says the party has minimal support in the Greek Community.
“I am embarrassed by the existence of Golden Dawn. Golden Dawn does not represent me, it does not represent my family and does not represent the vast majority of Greeks living in Victoria,” Mr Kotsiras said to the ABC.
Late last year the party’s leaders and other MPs were arrested in Greece and charged with being members of a criminal organisation.
Many are still awaiting trial.
If the MPs are to be allowed in Australia, they will first have to pass a character test by boarder control that assesses risk if people have a criminal record.
Source: ABC