Public displays of Nazi hate symbols will be criminalised* in Australia in a sweeping set of reforms.
Attorney-General* Mark Dreyfus announced on Wednesday the federal government will introduce a new Bill to parliament next week that will criminalise displays of the Nazi* swastika* or symbols of the Schutzstaffel (SS), the German fascist* party’s “protection squads”.
The legislation will also ban trade of these symbols, barring people from profiting* from the display and sale of items which “celebrate the Nazis and their evil ideology*”.
“The ban includes, but is not limited to, the trade and public display of flags, armbands, T-shirts, insignia* and the publication of symbols online promoting Nazi ideology,” Mr Dreyfus said in a statement.
“The Albanese government is sending the clearest possible signal to those who seek to spread hatred, violence and anti-Semitism* that we find these actions repugnant* and they will not be tolerated.”
If the Counter-Terrorism* Legislation* Amendment* (Prohibited* Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Bill becomes law, people caught breaking the rules will face a penalty of up to 12 months in prison.
The proposed legislation comes on the back of a six-year campaign from civil rights* groups including the Anti-Defamation* Commission, which called for the bans.
Read the article by Eli Green in Kids News.