Nazi symbols in Townsville workplace, multicultural advocate claims
An international student has seen Nazi symbols at a Townsville workplace as new anti-hate speech laws are considered.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Townsville business could be reported to police or the Australian Human Rights Commission after allegedly having Nazi symbols on display as new laws are considered to stamp out hate speech in Queensland.
The Townsville Multicultural Support Group general manager Stephanie Naunton said the symbols were reported to them by an international student on Thursday, who worked at the business.
The Queensland government has done a multi-year review of hate speech legislation and in March the Attorney-General introduced a bill to toughen laws.
The bill proposes the Queensland government establishes a criminal offence prohibiting the display of hate symbols, including Nazi and ISIS ideology.
The Criminal Code (Serious Vilification and Hate Crimes) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 would affect the Anti-Discrimination Act, the Criminal Code, Police Powers & Responsibilities and Summary Offences acts.
Townsville was a refugee resettlement city, and the population was nine per cent First Nations and 14 per cent non-English speaking, she said.
Ms Naunton declined to elaborate on details of the alleged Nazi symbols, but said the matter would likely be reported to the police or the human rights commission in the coming days.
It is against the law to knowingly or recklessly incite hatred, serious contempt or severe ridicule of a person on the ground of race, religion, sexuality or gender identity.
The amendment bill, if passed, would also increase the maximum penalty from six months to three years.
Under changes to the Criminal Code, a crime would be aggravated by hate or serious vilification.
The number of hateful incidents happening in Townsville was hard to put a number on, Ms Naunton said.
“It’s really hard to get specifics because what we see for a lot of our clients, but even international students that we support, is that it’s hard for them to report these crimes,” she said.
The international student recognised the Nazi symbols being displayed by one employee in the workplace and felt unsafe because no one else there had said anything about it, Ms Naunton said.
“If you allow that it perpetuates, like a culture of ‘that’s okay’.”
Ms Naunton said she saw Nazi symbols graffitied around Townsville, and the amendment bill sent an important message.
“It’s a direction from a government and so important during this time to say that that behaviour is not okay and it is not acceptable,” she said.
State Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said “by increasing penalties for these offences, we are sending a clear message that vilification and hate crimes have no place in our society.
“The proposed laws are intended to capture conduct where it is motivated by hatred towards a person or group’s actual or presumed status.”
The Townsville Islamic Society and Townsville Community Law made submissions during the review of the laws in 2021.
The Islamic society’s submission lists multiple anonymous incidents of aggression or violence, directed towards alleged victims because of their religion or culture.
The law society’s submission highlighted its work in a case where “homophobic violence in North Queensland endangered the lives of GLBTIQ+ persons, and threatened local tourism, regional economies and the lives and livelihoods of non-GLBTIQ+ persons.”
A Queensland police spokeswoman said police were unable to provide statistics related to serious vilification and hate crimes, due to different reporting methods around the state and individual offences having charges related to the specific offence such as assault or wilful damage.
“QPS will not hesitate to identify and prosecute those who break the law and hold people accountable for their actions,” the spokeswoman said.
“We support democracy but encourage people, whether online or in person, to consider their actions and rethink any behaviour intended to harass, intimidate or threaten.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Nazi symbols in Townsville workplace, multicultural advocate claims
Alleged victim’s credibility called into question during robbery trial
The credibility of a key witness in a gunpoint robbery trial is under scrutiny due to his history of drug use and criminal history. Read the details from trial day two.
Family ‘begin to heal’ after tragic death of beloved mum
The family of a woman found dead in Railway Estate is raising money for her memorial and her children who ‘meant the world to her’. Here’s how you can help.