Religious leaders say they are frustrated the Victorian government has stalled on a promised education campaign about the ancient meaning of the swastika, weeks before it becomes a criminal offence to publicly display the Nazi symbol.
From December 29, people in Victoria who display the Nazi symbol — also known as the Hakenkreuz — could face 12 months in jail and a $22,000 fine.
The laws will not be applied to faith communities who use similar-looking religious swastikas, but some fear they will wrongly be accused of supporting Nazi ideology.
