Jail time for Queenslanders using Nazi hate symbols

Queenslanders who display hate symbols – such as those linked to Nazi ideology – will face up to six months in jail under the Palaszczuk government’s hate crimes crackdown.

Queenslanders who display hate symbols – such as those linked to Nazi ideology – will face up to six months in jail under the Palaszczuk government’s hate crimes crackdown.

Laws introduced to parliament on Wednesday also give police the powers to search people without a warrant if they suspect they were involved in the display of hate symbols.

The punishment for vilifying someone because of their race, religion, sexuality, or gender identity will also be bolstered from six months imprisonment to three years.

Once the laws are passed, the government will detail the banned symbols in new regulations – but the government is still consulting with the community to determine what those symbols will be.

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman confirmed, though, that they would include symbols associated with Nazi and ISIS ideology.

A Nazi salute could land you in jail for six months under the new laws. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

“We aim to have these laws in force as quickly as possible,” she said.

“We know that hatred will not be tolerated here in Queensland and we need to make sure that our laws reflect the seriousness of these crimes and the long lasting impacts it can have on victims.”

Those caught breaching the hate symbols laws will face up to six months imprisonment or could cop a maximum fine of $10,000.

The laws will capture a broad range of circumstances in which the display of hate symbols will be prohibited, including publications online as well as through tattoos.

There will be some exemptions, though, including displays that are for artistic, religious, historical, legal, or law enforcement purposes.

“(For) this next generation coming through school right now, the Second World War and the Nazi regime was a long time ago,” Ms Fentiman said.

“We’ve all got a responsibility to remind the young people in our lives about this hateful ideology. So of course there will need to be exemptions for historical and educational purposes.”

The Victorian government indicated this month it would ban the Nazi salute after a large group of masked men performed the gesture on the steps of the state’s parliament.

The new laws in Queensland will create a circumstance of aggravation for a range of offences where the crime is motivated by hate.

Ms Fentiman said a Nazi salute could fall under such circumstances of aggravation for someone who commits public nuisance.

“I think we would be able to successfully prosecute that with these laws,” she said.