Tradie’s van featuring ‘disgusting’ picture of Mark McGowan photoshopped to look like Adolf Hitler sparks outrage
- Van driver sparked outrage after driving around Perth with image on the back
- Hitler’s face had been replaced in historical image and replaced with premier
- Mr McGowan divided opinion with hardline border closures during pandemic
- Aussies reacting to photo online said it was ‘disgusting’ to make comparison
A tradesman has sparked outrage after driving a van around Perth with an image depicting Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan as Adolf Hitler on the rear windscreen.
The photo of the Nazi leader on the Hyundai van had been doctored to make it look like the premier was giving the infamous Hitler salute.
Mr McGowan has drawn controversy for his border policies during the Covid pandemic – stubbornly staying sealed off from the rest of the world while the rest of Australia re-opened and got back to business.
He is finally planning to open WA to the world on March 3.
But Australians reacting to the photo online said it was ‘disgusting’ to compare the WA leader with the dictator responsible for the genocide of six million Jews.
A depiction of Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan as Adolf Hitler on the back of a van in Perth has sparked outrage
Australians reacting to the photo online said it was disgusting to compare the WA leader with the dictator responsible for the Holocaust
‘I get that people are upset with the state of things,’ one commenter wrote on Reddit.
‘But to compare McGowen to a literal dictator that committed horrific genocide is a slap in the face to anyone that actually suffered under Hitler.’
‘The old political philosophy; ‘everybody I don’t like is a Nazi’,’ another wrote.
‘It disgusts me that people make that comparison,’ another added. ‘I worked in a job where we had elderly dementia patients in our care who had actually lived through the holocaust.’
Another wrote: ‘I’m so f***ing tired of people comparing everything to Nazis and the Holocaust. You’re not oppressed, you’re just f***ing stupid.’
The display of Nazi symbols is not illegal in Australia; however last year Victoria announced it was planning the ban extremist insignia and propaganda.
The proposed laws are expected to be introduced to its state parliament in the first half of this year – but will not cover the use of symbols for educational purposes.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the WA Premier’s office and WA Police for comment.
Mark McGowan has drawn controversy for his border policies during the Covid pandemic – stubbornly staying sealed off from the rest of the world while the rest of Australia re-opens
WA’s borders will come down on March 3 after nearly 700 days of travel restrictions
Mr McGowan announced earlier this month WA’s borders would come down at 12.01am on March 3.
The western state has had strict border restrictions in place for nearly 700 days throughout the Covid pandemic.
But although border restrictions are lifting, locals are facing tougher rules under the sweeping changes, with new mask mandates and density limits in certain areas.
Both interstate and international travellers will be required to complete a G2G pass before entering the state, and must take a rapid antigen test within 12 hours of arrival.
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