A federal senator is outraged after a self-described neo-Nazi allegedly tricked him into taking a selfie while making a deplorable gesture.
Victorian Senator Ralph Babet stood smiling and giving a thumbs up next to Nathan Bull on Saturday, apparently oblivious to the man’s partial salute below shoulder height.
The ‘very active NSN (National Socialist Network) member’ then posted the image on X with the caption ‘Hail Ralph Babet, Hail our people’.
The United Australia Party senator, 40, has since distanced himself from the prominent neo-Nazi, claiming he did not know who Mr Bull was or that he was aware of the illegal gesture made out of sight.
Victorian senator Ralph Babet (left) was furious after self-styled neo-Nazi Nathan Bull (right) tricked him into taking a selfie while holding up a partial Nazi salute
Senator Babet has since labeled all extremists as ‘idiots’.
“They can all start filling up,” he told the paper Herald Sun.
‘The far left and the far right are all a bunch of losers.
‘I don’t know who he is. I don’t care who he is.’
He told the Age: ‘Hundreds of people a month ask for a photo with me wherever I go.’
‘Are you Ralph Babet?’ ‘Yes that’s me.’ ‘Can I have a picture?’ “Okay, sure.” That’s the extent of it. ‘Good bye.’ ‘
Senator Babet added that Victoria Police can investigate Bull’s post “if they wish to do so”.
Victoria Police confirmed it would review the new image.
Mr Bull’s message remained online early on Monday morning.
The Nazi salute was banned across Victoria in November after a number of self-identified neo-Nazis performed the salute at rallies.
Anyone caught performing the salute in public could face a fine of up to $23,000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months.
Senator Ralph Babet of the United Australia Party has distanced himself from neo-Nazis after being ‘tricked’ into
An investigation last year by the White Rose Society, a group of anti-fascist researchers who identify people from neo-Nazi groups, found that Bull is the son of a Victorian police officer.
His father shared a photo of Mr Bull wearing a Runic Storm (Ukrainian neo-Nazi merchandise store) T-shirt for his 21st birthday and said he was ‘proud of what you do’.
Bull was investigated by police last year for giving the Nazi salute in public last year.
He also supported NSN’s self-proclaimed leader, Thomas Sewell, when he appeared in court for assaulting a security guard.
Senator Babet, born in Mauritius, was elected to represent Victoria in the Federal Senate in the 2022 elections.