Fines or Up to 12 Months Jail for Displaying Nazi Symbols or Gestures in Public
Summary Offences Amendment (Nazi Salute Prohibition) Bill 2023
Legislative Assembly
Legislative Council
Assent
Topics
civil liberties criminal penalties hate speech hate symbols nazi symbols police powers public order public safety
Introduced by: The Hon Anthony Carbines MP (ALP); The Hon Jaclyn Symes MLC (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
People who intentionally perform a Nazi gesture or display a Nazi symbol in public, at a non-government school, or at a university can be fined or jailed for up to 12 months.
Police can apply for warrants to search for and seize Nazi symbols or gestures.
People will not be penalised for using Nazi symbols or gestures if they do so in good faith for academic, artistic, educational, scientific, or cultural and religious purposes.
People will not be penalised for using Nazi symbols or gestures if they do so in good faith to oppose fascism, Nazism, or neo-Nazism.
Tattoos of Nazi symbols or gestures on a person's body are not offences.
Law enforcement and intelligence officers can use these symbols while doing their jobs.
Police officers can order a person to remove a Nazi symbol or gesture if the officer believes a crime is being committed. This applies to the person displaying the symbol or the owner of the property where it is shown.
People will not be penalised for using Nazi symbols or gestures when making or publishing a fair and accurate report on a matter of public interest.
The legal definition of the Nazi Party now specifically includes the SA, SS, NSKK, and NSFK.