Nazi debate: Liberal senator collapses in plenary hall

A Liberal senator broke down in tears and claimed a Labor rival said the “most shameful thing” during a debate over Nazi symbolism.

The Liberal Sarah Henderson was in tears and shouted across the room at Labor Secretary Murray Watt, telling him: “I’m disgusted with you”.

It is unclear what Mr Watt, who retracted his remark, said to Ms Henderson.

But senators in the chamber said the bizarre confrontation related to text messages she sent to the Victorian Liberal leader who is trying to expel a state MP for attending the anti-transgender rights rally in Melbourne where Nazis turned up.

The opposition is pushing for a ban on Nazi symbols after a protest in Melbourne drew neo-Nazis using the Sieg Heil salute.

The neo-Nazis hijacked a “Let Women Speak” rally organized by English anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull outside Victoria’s State Parliament on Saturday.

Pro-trans counter protesters had turned up to contest Ms Keen-Minshull’s event but found themselves in opposition to the black-clad group of men who taunted her with Nazi salutes.

In the Senate, Liberal front bencher Michaelia Cash said the push to ban the Nazi symbol must take precedence.

“Every Australian should find the actions of this small group of protesters who dared to use the Nazi salute offensive,” she said.

“Those who display Nazi symbols or use the Hitler salute either know nothing about the past or are deliberately promoting evil.”

Finance Minister Katy Gallager said there was no place for Nazi ideology in Australia.

“But I think we should also recognize that this is a complex area of ​​law and any move to ban Nazi symbols deserves serious consideration,” she said.

“The Australian people deserve better. We should stand together, we should raise a strong voice on what is happening in Victoria.

“This bill needs serious consideration, no stunt.”

But Green Party Senator Sarah Hanson-Young fired back, saying politicizing the issue would drag the debate into the gutter.

“I don’t think we’ve shown the Australian people anything… to be proud of,” she said during the debate.

“Political chatter about this serious, sensitive issue, which at its core is about the values ​​of a respectful, democratic nation, should not be dragged into the gutter.”

A push to have the bill debated eventually fell through as all sides agreed it was an important issue for discussion, but Labour, the Greens and One Nation accused the opposition of launching it at the last minute.