Victoria parliament passes bill banning Nazi swastika

Parliament House Melbourne

Victoria has become the first Australian jurisdiction to ban the swastika, with those who defy the ban to face jail terms and hefty fines.

It is now a crime to intentionally display the Nazi swastika in Victoria. Anyone who displays the symbol could face a year in jail.

An exemption is in place for religious groups who used the symbol before the Nazis.


Victoria has become the first Australian jurisdiction to ban the swastika, with those who defy the ban to face jail terms and hefty fines.

Legislation passed both houses of parliament on Tuesday making it a crime to publicly and intentionally display the Nazi symbol.

Those who do so could face up to 12 months in jail and a $22,000 fine.

The symbol will still be able to be used in appropriate contexts, given its cultural and historical relevance (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism contexts).

The state government said it consulted “religious, legal and community groups … to understand the religious use of the swastika and ensure exceptions are in place for appropriate displays of the Nazi symbol, such as for educational or artistic purposes”.

The government will fund a campaign to educate the public on the importance of the symbol to these communities, and how it is different from the Nazi symbol.

Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said in a statement that the symbol “does nothing but cause further pain and division”.

“It’s a proud moment to see these important laws pass with bipartisan support – I’m glad to see that no matter what side of politics, we can agree that this vile behaviour will not be tolerated in Victoria,” she said.

Dvir Abramovich, chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, welcomed the ban, for which he has been campaigning for the past five years.

“As our nation confronts the deep stain of a resurgent white-supremacist movement that peddles a dangerous and dehumanising agenda, this parliament has declared that the symbol of Nazism will never find a safe harbour in our state,” he said.

The legislation will come into effect in six months.

 

Parliament House Melbourne


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Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons/DonaldyTong, Wikimedia Commons/Elekhh