The State Government has been applauded for banning the Nazi symbol, but harsher penalties have been called for if crime is motivated by hatred on the grounds of sexuality and gender identity, as well as race.
All hate-motivated crimes in Tasmania should attract heavier penalties, a lobby group says.
Equality Tasmania president Rodney Croome has welcomed the State Government’s decision to ban Nazi symbols but wants more comprehensive hate crime legislation.
He said both NSW and Victoria provided for heavier penalties if crime was motivated by hatred on the grounds of sexuality and gender identity, as well as race.
“We welcome the government’s proposed ban because LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians have consistently faced harassment by hate-mongers using Nazi symbols, especially during the marriage postal survey in 2017,” he said.
“But we urge the government to go further by ensuring hate-motivated crimes attract heavier penalties regardless of the type of hatred concerned.
“Currently in Tasmania, only racial hatred can be considered an aggravating factor when judges pass sentences for hate-motivated crimes.
“This sends the message that hate against LGBTIQA+ people, or other disadvantaged groups including people with disability, is less serious.”
Mr Croome said he would make a submission on the draft legislation and ask for wider legislation to protect other vulnerable Tasmanians, including people with disability, Indigenous Tasmanians and minority faith groups including the Muslim and Jewish communities.
Read the article by Sue Bailey in The Mercury.