Truth about ‘deeply troubling’ number plates spotted on Australian roads

The simple explanation behind a series of ‘deeply disturbing’ number plates accused of referencing neo-Nazi sentiment has been revealed.

Australians were outraged after a Lexus sports car with the Victorian license plate ’88-SS’ was spotted in Doncaster, north-east Melbourne.

Members of the Jewish community claimed that ’88’ referred to the code used among neo-Nazis for ‘Heil Hitler’, while ‘SS’ alluded to the Schutzstaffel – Hitler’s personal bodyguard unit that became the guardian of the Nazi regime.

However, VicRoads claims there is a simple explanation for the personalized number plates.

Chief Operations Officer Michael Hooper said an investigation by VicRoads revealed the license plates contained the driver’s year of birth and initials.

“We have reviewed the application and are confident that the intent behind the combination is not offensive – lucky numbers, birth years and personal initials are commonly used in custom license plates,” he said in a statement.

It is understood the plates were sold as one of just 520 of VicRoads’ limited edition signature plate range, first released in 2017.

While VicRoads has the power to recall number plates, which inadvertently furthers a social agenda, it said it will not recall the ’88-SS’ plates.

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday night that the “stomach-churning” license plate was pushing a “despicable agenda”.

“VicRoads must ensure that vanity license plates containing anti-Semitic and racist acronyms and terms are immediately withdrawn or not approved in the first place,” Abramovich said.

“At a time when anti-Jewish hatred is skyrocketing across the country and we see a dangerous wave of unapologetic white supremacists determined to push their vile and dark agenda into the world, this kind of hatred is the last thing we need.

“We cannot afford to sleep at the wheel and have horrific references on our cars that incite violence and intolerance.”

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich ((pictured) called on Victoria to follow the NSW example by recalling the offending number plate

Mr Abramovich called on VicRoads to follow the example of NSW, which recalled personalized number plates reading ‘OCT7TH’ in an apparent celebration of last year’s Hamas attacks on Israel, which sparked bloody fighting in the region.

Images of a white Ford Ranger with the NSW number plate were shared widely on social media.

NSW Main Road Minister John Graham said he had taken action to recall the plates.

“As soon as I heard about this we ordered a recall,” he told Sydney radio station 2GB on Thursday.

‘It used to take up to a month before the license plates could be recalled. Transport immediately intervened.

‘Given the tensions in the world, I was not happy about that. As Minister of Roads, we have shortened that process and the request is now that these license plates are received within 48 hours.’

The license plate, which appeared to celebrate Hamas’ bloody attack on Israel on October 7, was recalled by the NSW roads minister last week.

Mr Graham said if the owner does not surrender the relevant number plates, the car’s registration will be ‘completely cancelled’.

Ms Leach said an

Transport for NSW denied the claims, telling news.com.au the offending number plate was registered in December 2023 – after the attacks.

The Hamas attacks in southern Israel killed about 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped hundreds more.

It sparked an all-out war between Israeli forces and the militant group that controls the Palestinian area of ​​Gaza. The death toll in Gaza has passed 27,000, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry.

About 85 percent of Gaza’s civilians have been displaced as a result of the airstrikes and ground operations.