The Nazi swastika was seen on a flag hanging outside a Brisbane synagogue last year, where it was confiscated … now it’s a crime. Source: Supplied
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced the introduction of a bill outlawing the Nazi swastika and other hate symbols, becoming the second Australian state to do so after Victoria.
The announcement follows a spate of Nazi symbols and slogans being spotted across Queensland as the federal election campaign trail heated up, with some candidates having advertising or imagery defaced by the infamous swastika associated with Adolf Hitler’s fascist regime as leader of the Nazi Party.
Queensland will ban swastikas: Today I’m announcing our intention to introduce legislation to parliament that will make it a criminal offence to display symbols promoting hatred and causing fear. #qldpol pic.twitter.com/gt9v39awpU
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) May 25, 2022
The government will introduce the legislation later this year, after further consultation with the legal community, but people found guilty of “displaying symbols promoting hatred and causing fear” would face $22,000 in fines, 12 months imprisonment or both.
“We do not do this lightly or without good reason,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Late last year police seized a Nazi flag flown near a Brisbane synagogue.
“Only a few months earlier a train carriage in the suburbs was graffitied with swastikas and Nazi slogans.
“Nazism is evil … evil triumphs when good people do nothing.
“These crimes are not harmless and nor is the ideology behind it.”
Victoria announced a bill earlier this month making it illegal for a person or group to intentionally display the Nazi swastika in public, which like their northern counterparts, will come into effect later this year.
Outgoing Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg had numerous posters in his Melbourne electorate of Kooyong vandalised with swastikas drawn on his forehead following the announcement.
“Vandalism is a crime, [and] this kind of vandalism is obscene,” he said at the time.
“It doesn’t matter which political group is on the receiving end, it’s just not on.
“Swastikas are a reminder of a dark past and it’s our collective duty to say, ‘never again’.”
Vandalism is a crime. This kind of vandalism is obscene.
It doesn’t matter which political group is on the receiving end, it’s just not on. Our community deserves better.
Swastikas are a reminder of a dark past & it’s our collective duty to say “Never Again.” pic.twitter.com/W2cZTkYSBG
— Josh Frydenberg (@JoshFrydenberg) April 4, 2022
The symbol in question is also used in Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu religious communities, but the use of the swastika by neo-Nazis today is still the most recognised in the Western world.
The swastika is considered a promotion of white supremacy and racism and is prohibited in some countries (including Germany).
