Jewish Australian lawmaker’s home vandalized

August 17, 2009

SYDNEY, Australia (JTA) -- Neo-Nazi graffiti was painted on the house of a senior Jewish politician in Australia.

The numbers “88,” which neo-Nazis use as shorthand for “Heil Hitler,” were found Saturday on the Sydney home of New South Wales Treasurer Eric Roozendaal, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Roozendaal, whose grandfather died in Auschwitz, refused to comment about the graffiti.

Police are investigating the vandalism, which some believe has a connection to the far-right Australia First party. But Australia First leader Jim Saleam said his organization had nothing to do with the incident.

'It has been done by provocateurs, if it has not been done by criminal groups,'' Saleam told the Herald newspaper.

Roozendaal, a Labor Party lawmaker, secured a deal last month to block any Labor Party preferences to Australia First at the next state election. Roozendaal and Saleam have been longtime adversaries.

A Roozendaal spokesman said he ''will not be intimidated and will continue to speak out against groups preaching hatred and division,” the Herald reported.

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