An apparent Nazi sympathiser has been allowed to spout vile comments in support of Adolf Hitler’s persecution of gays during the Second World War live on ABC radio.
A Victorian man, by the name of Don, called into Melbourne’s ABC Radio with Jon Faine during a debate on gay marriage.
But instead of putting forward a sensible argument, Don said he believed it was right that thousands of homosexual men and women were put in concentration camps during World War Two.
When informed that 23 other countries have equal marriage laws, Don said: ‘It’s irrelevant. We’re Australia we’re not the other countries.
‘Hitler had all those kind of people in their own concentration camps – it’s one of the two good things he did. The other one was to build the autobahns.’
Despite the sickening comments, the caller was not booted off of the taxpayer-funded radio station.
The Victorian man, who went by the name Don, called into Melbourne’s ABC Radio with Jon Faine (pictured) during a segment surrounding the debate
Mr Faine made the caller repeat himself twice, possibly not quite believing what had just been said live on radio.
But instead of cutting him off, Faine’s response was: ‘We’re going to have to agree to disagree on that.’
The radio host continued: ‘You know Don, there is an old saying in public policy… when people invoke Nazism for or against an argument you pretty much know you’ve lost.’
Don outrightly disagreed with that statement.
The topic had arisen because ABC Radio had invited Victoria’s Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Kristen Hilton into the studio.
Don had called in to ask why Ms Hilton was not supporting both sides of the debate.
‘That lady you have there with you, the Commissioner, she sort of shouldn’t be in that job if the commission is supporting the yes vote. They should be neutral, shouldn’t they?’ he began.
‘Because I think that’s disgusting that she gets out and says “we are going to support the yes vote” instead of saying we don’t have an opinion one way or the other because we should be supporting both sides.’
Don had called in to ask why Ms Hilton was not supporting both sides of the debate (pictured Sydney rally)
Ms Hilton calmly explained that her job was to promote equality and there was significant proof to suggest supporting same-sex marriage was the balanced approach (picture from Sydney rally)
Ms Hilton calmly explained that her job was to promote equality and there was significant proof to suggest supporting same-sex marriage was the balanced approach.
‘Well part of my job is actually to promote equality within this state and to make sure to the extent possible that we reduce discrimination. The commission has taken this very deliberate positive support in marriage equality because we believe, and there is also evidence to support this, that the current restrictions on same-sex couples being allowed to marry constitutes discrimination.’
It was at this point during the exchange that Ms Hilton explained that the postal vote was not binding and it will come down to a decision made in parliament about how to legislate.
She explained that Australia should join the 23 other countries in favour of the laws already to which Don explained his two-point positive analysis of Hitler’s reign.
A listener has since come forward to say that while Don’s words were abhorrent, ABC kept him on the air for a good reason.
She explained that Australia should join the 23 other countries in favour of the laws already to which Don explained his two-point positive analysis of Hitler’s reign (pictured Bill Shorten at Sydney rally)
‘Was listening this morning when Don called. I think Jon Faine let the guy go on to make a fool of himself. Faine even mentioned to him Godwin’s Law and that as soon as you mention Hitler or the Nazis you lose the argument,’ they wrote on Reddit.
‘I’m sure Don thought he was being very smart but ended up making himself and to a degree all no-voters look like intolerant fools. Certainly didn’t help the no campaign at all.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the ABC for comment.