Jail times to be increased for crimes motivated by hate, prejudice

Criminals who commit offences motivated by prejudice could cop extra jail time of up to three years under the Palaszczuk government’s crackdown on hate crimes.

Criminals who commit offences motivated by prejudice could cop extra jail time of up to three years under the Queensland government’s crackdown on hate crimes.

The government will bring new laws before state parliament next week that will ban the display of hate symbols, such as those linked to Nazi ideology.

The reforms will also create circumstances of aggravation for a range of offences in instances where the crime is motivated by hate and prejudice – ensuring criminals face harsher penalties.

For example, someone convicted of assault occasioning bodily harm in cases where the crime is motivated by hate could face 10 years behind bars instead of seven.

Someone who is motivated by prejudice while unlawfully stalking another person or while making threats could be jailed for seven years instead of five.

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman

Criminals inspired by hate while disturbing a religious worship will face an extra four months in jail, and those who commit wilful damage could see their prison term lifted from five years to seven.

For criminals convicted of going armed to cause fear, their maximum penalty will increase from two years’ imprisonment to three, while those who threaten violence would also see their penalty attract the same increased punishment.

It is understood circumstances of aggravation could apply to people who perform Nazi salutes while committing such crimes.

“Whether the new laws will apply to certain behaviours or situations will depend on the specific circumstances in each case,” a spokesman for Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said on Wednesday when asked if the Nazi salute would fall under the proposed hate symbol laws.

The Victorian government announced this week that it would ban the Nazi salute after a large group of masked men performed the gesture on the steps of the state’s parliament at the weekend.

The Queensland government announced the hate symbol ban last year following a suite of recommendations from a parliamentary inquiry.

Ms Fentiman’s spokesman touted the proposed hate symbols framework as “among the strongest in the country”.

“We will continue to work with the multicultural community and monitor developments in other jurisdictions to ensure we are protecting our diverse communities,” he said.