Victoria brings Nazi swastika ban forward by six months

The new law, which is the first of its kind in Australia, means it will soon be illegal to display hate symbols publicly.

New bans on swastikas and other hate symbols passed state parliament on Tuesday, making Victoria the first jurisidction to bring the ban into law.

From mid-next year it will be illegal to display hate symbols publicly, with any representation of the Nazi swastika, the Hakenkreuz, constituting a criminal offence.

The anti-vilification laws passed on Tuesday night with bipartisan support and will mean people who intentionally display banned symbols will face a $22,000 fine and up to 12 months jail.

The new laws will still allow for the symbol to be displayed in culturally appropriate and religious contexts and will make vilification easier to prove in criminal and civil cases.

The Andrews Government moved to bring in the ban in response to a parliamentary committee report that recommended the change in 2021.

Anti-vilification laws will also be altered to include protections in areas such as sexual orientation, disability, sex and HIV/AIDS status.

This will include changes to make vilification easier to prove in civil and criminal cases.

Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said it was a “proud moment”.

“The Nazi symbol glorifies one of the most hateful ideologies in history – its public display does nothing but cause

further pain and division.”

“It’s a proud moment to see these important laws pass with bipartisan support – I’m glad to see that no matter

what side of politics, we can agree that this vile behaviour will not be tolerated in Victoria.”

The ban will be supported by a community education campaign to raise awareness of the origins of the religious and cultural swastika, its importance to the Buddhist, Hindu and Jain communities and its distinction to the Nazi

symbol.