Federal government moves to ban hate symbols like Nazi swastika
Those caught displaying Nazi hate symbols will soon face up to a year in prison as the Albanese government declares there is ‘no place in Australia’ for 'hatred, violence and anti-Semitism'
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Public displays of Nazi hate symbols will be criminalised* in Australia in a sweeping set of reforms.
Attorney-General* Mark Dreyfus announced on Wednesday the federal government will introduce a new Bill to parliament next week that will criminalise displays of the Nazi* swastika* or symbols of the Schutzstaffel (SS), the German fascist* party’s “protection squads”.
The legislation will also ban trade of these symbols, barring people from profiting* from the display and sale of items which “celebrate the Nazis and their evil ideology*”.
“The ban includes, but is not limited to, the trade and public display of flags, armbands, T-shirts, insignia* and the publication of symbols online promoting Nazi ideology,” Mr Dreyfus said in a statement.
“The Albanese government is sending the clearest possible signal to those who seek to spread hatred, violence and anti-Semitism* that we find these actions repugnant* and they will not be tolerated.”
If the Counter-Terrorism* Legislation* Amendment* (Prohibited* Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Bill becomes law, people caught breaking the rules will face a penalty of up to 12 months in prison.
The proposed legislation comes on the back of a six-year campaign from civil rights* groups including the Anti-Defamation* Commission, which called for the bans.
The commission’s chair Dr Dvir Abramovich said he “shed tears of joy” after the announcement.
“A terrible wrong has been made right, and anyone who loves this country will support this ban,” he said.
“Bravo to the Attorney-General and the federal government for taking the high moral ground in declaring that Australia will never provide a haven for the ultimate emblems of inhumanity.”
Both physical and online displays of the Nazi swastika or of SS memorabilia* will be prohibited.
Exemptions apply for the public displays of these symbols for religious, academic, educational, artistic, literary, journalistic or scientific purposes.
The government has said that the ban will not apply to the use of the swastika for spiritual purposes in religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
But the law will not outlaw the use of the Nazi salute, which remains a matter for state and territory governments.
The government will introduce the Bill to parliament next week and expects that it will be considered in spring.
Several states, including Victoria, NSW and Queensland, have introduced similar Bills.
The new laws follow several protests this year involving neo-Nazi who were seen performing the Seig Heil*, the notorious* salute used at Nazis rallies, including on the steps of Victoria’s Parliament House.
POLL
GLOSSARY
- criminalised: to make something illegal
- Attorney-General: chief legal officer of a nation or state whose job is to provide legal advice to government
- Nazi: member of the right-wing political party led by Adolf Hitler, which held power in Germany from 1933 and 1945 and systematically persecuted Jewish people
- swastika: an ancient symbol, it was also used as the emblem of the Nazi party
- fascist: someone who subscribes to the idea of a political system based on a very powerful leader or dictator, state control and nationalism
- profiting: making money from something
- ideology: set of beliefs or principles
- insignia: object or mark that shows a person or object belongs to a particular organisation or group
- anti-Semitism: prejudice or hatred of Jews
- repugnant: causing a feeling of strong dislike or disgust
- counter-terrorism: work done to prevent and counter violent extremism in all its forms
- legislation: a law or set of laws suggested by a government and made official by a parliament
- amendment: change to a law, an addition, alteration or correction
- prohibited: banned, forbidden by authority or law
- civil rights: rights each person has in a society, whatever their race, sex or religion
- anti-defamation: opposing or stopping or dealing with defamation, which is the publication of material that harms a person’s reputation
- memorabilia: objects and items collected because they have meaning associated with a person or event
- Hinduism: major and ancient world religion originating in India, with many gods and a belief in reincarnation
- Buddhism: religion of eastern and central Asia teaching that the way to end suffering is by overcoming your desires
- Jainism: ancient Indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through discipline and nonviolence
- Seig Heil: a German phrase that translates to “hail to victory”
- notorious: widely known for something immoral, negative or bad
EXTRA READING
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WWII ‘Rats of Tobruk’ hero dies
Tribute for Holocaust 75th anniversary
QUICK QUIZ
- Public displays of what symbols will be criminalised by the federal reforms?
- What was the Schutzstaffel (SS)?
- Name four items that will be banned in trade or public display?
- How long have civil rights groups campaigned for the legislative change?
- Exemptions will apply for public displays for what purposes?
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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Find out
Do you know who the Nazis, and their leader Adolf Hitler, were and what their “evil ideology” was? Use your research skills to find out about the Nazi party in Germany. Use the information that you have found to create a fact file.
Time: allow 60 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; History; Civics and Citizenship
2. Extension
Why do you think that these symbols are allowed to be used for educational purposes? Shouldn’t they be totally banned? Write a paragraph that answers these questions.
Time: allow 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; History; Civics and Citizenship; Personal and Social Capability
VCOP ACTIVITY
BAB it!
Show you have read and understood the article by writing three sentences using the connectives “because’’, “and”, and “but” (BAB). Your sentences can share different facts or opinions, or the same ones but written about in different ways.