The strength of the response is a clear indication of support against anti-Semitism, reports Michael Visontay
AUSTRALIANS STRONGLY BELIEVE the swastika should be banned, the Crossroads21 survey has found.
A “substantial majority” agreed with the proposition, according to Emeritus Professor Andrew Markus in his analysis of the findings.
This was one of the key findings of the survey of 3459 Australians conducted earlier this year.
In a clear indication of support for action against anti-Semitism, 62% of those surveyed agreed that the Nazi symbol should be banned; 25% neither agreed nor disagreed, while just 12% disagreed.
The finding is consistent with the broader findings of positive sentiment by Australian society towards Jewish people revealed in Crossroads21 (see accompanying article).
The issue has been a source of ongoing debate in Australia after numerous news reports of swastikas displayed across Victoria in 2020.
In March of this year, a Victorian parliamentary inquiry recommended that displaying the swastika should be a criminal offence in Victoria. The Andrews government has yet to announce if and when it will implement the recommendation by the cross-party parliamentary inquiry into anti-vilification laws.
Premier Daniel Andrews said on Wednesday March 3 that the government was open to criminalising Nazi symbols. If so, it would be the first jurisdiction in Australia to impose such a ban.
The inquiry followed the sighting of a Nazi flag flying above a home in Beulah in regional Victoria last year, which the government was powerless to stop under existing laws.
The Jewish Independent has approached the Victorian attorney-General’s office for an indication about when the legislation might be introduced into the parliament, but as yet has not received any indication.
ONLINE CONVERSATION REGARDING FINDINGS
Join Emeritus Professor Andrew Markus and commentator/journalist Julie Szego as they analyse the key findings for attitudes to Jewish people, anti-Semitism and the banning of the swastika – this Sunday 9 May 7:30pm-8:30pm AEST.
Attendance is free but you must register here.
INVITATION TO READERS
What do you make of these results? We’d like to hear your response; a selection of reader comments will be published later in the week.
Email your feedback to editor@thejewishindependent.com.au
