'Symbols of hatred': NSW seeks to ban Nazi flags

The Berejilklian government is seeking advice on how it can ban the public display of Nazi symbols after a spate of recent incidences where swastika flags have been flown.

NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman confirmed on Thursday he has requested the advice from the Department of Communities and Justice about a ban, which follows a flag being displayed from a Newtown home at the weekend.

The NSW government is looking to ban Nazi flags after a swastika was flown on a Newtown house at the weekend.

"These symbols of hatred and anti-Semitism are unacceptable anywhere in our community," Mr Speakman said. "They are deeply offensive and capable of traumatising survivors of genocide and their loved ones. The small but disgraceful minority who display these images insult the memory of the millions of victims of the Holocaust and those who died defending the world from this hatred."

Labor frontbencher Walt Secord, who is also deputy chair of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Israel group, urged the government to consider a ban and Liberal MP for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton wrote to Mr Speakman on Monday.

In her letter, Ms Upton asked Mr Speakman to "identify the best ways the government can end this totally offensive and deplorable use of the Nazi flag".

A swastika was painted over a mural along Bondi Beach's promenade last year. Credit: Australian Jewish News

Mr Secord said he welcomed the move by Mr Speakman, saying while he wanted the flag ban it should go through the proper process and be referred to the Attorney-General's department.

"The Nazi flag is deeply offensive to veterans who fought against fascism and was an affront to survivors of the Holocaust and their descendants," Mr Secord said. "The Nazi flag is an emblem of genocide and racism."

Mr Secord, who is an associate member of the Emanuel Synagogue in Woollahra, said recent incidents which include a swastika painted at Bondi Beach and physical attacks on a person on the way to prayer were symbols of a "despicable shift in our community".

"The decision to fly a Nazi flag is a simple expression of hatred," he said.

The NSW government introduced race hate laws in 2018. People who incite or threaten violence against anyone on the grounds of race, religion, sexual orientation or HIV status face a three-year jail term and $11,000 fine.

Mr Speakman said anyone affected by this conduct should contact police and urged anyone who believed they have been vilified to also contact Anti-Discrimination NSW and lodge a complaint.