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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/29/queensland-to-introduce-legislation-banning-nazi-symbols-to-strengthen-response-to-hate-crimes
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| Nazi salute will be captured in proposed ban on hate symbols, Queensland government says | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| New bill also aims to ensure those who commit crimes motivated by prejudice face tougher penalties | |
| Queensland’s attorney general has confirmed the Nazi salute will be captured under proposed laws that ban hate symbols and strengthen the state’s response vilification. | |
| Shannon Fentiman said she had been “shocked” by the presence of Nazis at an anti-trans protest in Melbourne earlier this month. | |
| “These hateful and disgusting views must be condemned publicly and unequivocally,” she told parliament. | |
| Fentiman said she expected someone performing a Nazi salute in public would be captured within new circumstances of aggravation in the legislation. | |
| “In particular, there could be a strong case that a group of neo-Nazis saluting on the steps of parliament, such as we saw in Melbourne just a fortnight ago, would commit the offence. But of course every prosecution will depend on the circumstances.” | |
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| The legislation introduced into Queensland parliament on Wednesday will ensure that those who commit crimes motivated by prejudice against specified groups will face tougher penalties, including longer custodial sentences. | |
| Existing offences will be amended to provide for a new circumstance of aggravation, including for common assault, going armed so as to cause fear, threatening violence, assault occasioning bodily harm, wilful damage, trespass and public nuisance. | |
| The proposed laws will also modify the criminal code to introduce a “prohibited symbols offence” which will ban the display of hate symbols, including those tied to nazism and the Islamic State. | |
| The new offence will outlaw the public display, public distribution or publication of prohibited symbols in circumstances that “might reasonably be expected to cause a member of the public to feel menaced, harassed or offended”. | The new offence will outlaw the public display, public distribution or publication of prohibited symbols in circumstances that “might reasonably be expected to cause a member of the public to feel menaced, harassed or offended”. |
| The government’s hate symbol framework will include Nazi tattoos, as revealed by Guardian Australia this month. The public distribution or publication of prohibited symbols online will also be prohibited. | The government’s hate symbol framework will include Nazi tattoos, as revealed by Guardian Australia this month. The public distribution or publication of prohibited symbols online will also be prohibited. |
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| There would be an exemption for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains, for whom swastikas are religious symbols. There will also be an exemption for when hate symbols were used for educational purposes. | There would be an exemption for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains, for whom swastikas are religious symbols. There will also be an exemption for when hate symbols were used for educational purposes. |
| Fentiman said the bill will also allow police to search a person or vehicle without a warrant if “they reasonably suspect the person has committed or is committing an offence.” | |
| The premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, said there was “no place in any community for hate crimes”. | The premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, said there was “no place in any community for hate crimes”. |
| “As a community, we reject the use of hate symbols and acknowledge the impact they have on the safety and security of Queenslanders,” Palaszczuk told parliament on Wednesday. | “As a community, we reject the use of hate symbols and acknowledge the impact they have on the safety and security of Queenslanders,” Palaszczuk told parliament on Wednesday. |
| “Our government will help protect Queenslanders from extreme prejudice and hate.” | “Our government will help protect Queenslanders from extreme prejudice and hate.” |
| The chief executive of Multicultural Australia, Christine Castley, said she was “pleased” and “relieved” to see the introduction of the reforms. | The chief executive of Multicultural Australia, Christine Castley, said she was “pleased” and “relieved” to see the introduction of the reforms. |
| “The laws will enhance the safety of every person and every community in Queensland, especially for those culturally and linguistically diverse communities who all too often face harassment as they go about their lives in public spaces and places of worship,” Castley said. | “The laws will enhance the safety of every person and every community in Queensland, especially for those culturally and linguistically diverse communities who all too often face harassment as they go about their lives in public spaces and places of worship,” Castley said. |
| She said Multicultural Australia was proud to have been a part of the Cohesive Communities Coalition, which had advocated for these laws. | She said Multicultural Australia was proud to have been a part of the Cohesive Communities Coalition, which had advocated for these laws. |
| “We will continue to amplify the voices of affected communities and individuals, and work with the Queensland government and response agencies such as the Queensland police to improve awareness and reporting of hate crimes,” she said. | “We will continue to amplify the voices of affected communities and individuals, and work with the Queensland government and response agencies such as the Queensland police to improve awareness and reporting of hate crimes,” she said. |
| The legislation comes after three men were charged with damage offences in January, when the Queensland government was yet to outlaw the display of hate symbols. | The legislation comes after three men were charged with damage offences in January, when the Queensland government was yet to outlaw the display of hate symbols. |
| Police said one of the banners seized contained a Nazi symbol and the words “Hitler was right”. | Police said one of the banners seized contained a Nazi symbol and the words “Hitler was right”. |