Those caught breaking the law face up to one year in prison and a $22,000 fine. 7NEWS
Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes says Victoria could legislate against a range of hate symbols.There will also be exemptions for historical, education and artistic purposes, while memorabilia bearing the Nazi swastika can still be traded as long as the symbol is covered over when on public display.“We know that this is a symbol of hate and it promotes anti-Semitism,” she told reporters.
Symes said there was scope in the legislation to add other Nazi and hate symbols, such as the SS Bolts.“If people do start to pivot to other hate symbols to get around the law ... that’s something that we’ll certainly look at,” she said. Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich said Victoria was currently facing a Nazi swastika “epidemic” and that the symbol had been weaponised by the neo-Nazi movement.“It’s a thunderous blow to the solar plexus of the neo-Nazi movement here in Victoria, who would love nothing more than to put people like myself in the gas chambers and dream of an Australian Hitler and a Fourth Reich.”
He acknowledged the maximum penalties were unlikely to stop “malicious” actors but said the ban sent a strong message.