NSW commits to banning Nazi symbols as Victoria passes swastika law

NSW has joined several other states in committing to banning swastikas and other symbols of hate from public display

The NSW Government has introduced a bill to ban the public displays of Nazi symbols as Victoria passes a law to ban the swastika. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced last month that Queensland will pass a law to ban hate symbols later this year and Attorney General Elise Archer recently followed suit.

NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman said the Government’s Bill will amend the Crimes Act 1900 to create a new offence of knowingly displaying, "by public act and without reasonable excuse, a Nazi symbol".

“Hateful and vilifying conduct is completely unacceptable in our community,” Speakman said.

“This bill recognises that the public display of Nazi symbols is generally considered abhorrent, except in very limited circumstances such as for education purposes, and causes profound offence and distress."

Penalties will be up to 12 months’ imprisonment and an $11,000 fine for individuals with a fine of $55,000 for corporations.

Both the Victorian and NSW walls expressly allow the display of a swastika for educational, artistic or academic purposes. NSW explicitly recognises the swastika as a symbol of eastern religon long before it was adopted by the far right.

“The swastika has been an ancient symbol of peace, prosperity and auspiciousness for these spiritual groups for thousands of years. This bill reflects stakeholder feedback that the offence should not apply to a swastika displayed in connection with Buddhism, Hinduism or Jainism,” NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said.

The Victorian law, which passed on Tuesday, will come into effect in six months. Victoria Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said in a statement that the symbol "does nothing but cause further pain and division".