Victoria set to become first Australian state to ban display of Nazi symbols

Victoria is set to become Australia’s first state to ban public display of Nazi symbols. Starting from next year, a ban on extremist propaganda will be brought in.

The new law will prohibit display of swastikas and all other hate symbols and Nazi-related symbols in the state. However, this will not include use of symbols for educational and historical purposes.

"A couple of years ago we saw a swastika painted on an aged care retirement home full of Holocaust survivors … and it’s not just an issue for the Jewish community, it’s right across the board,"Liberal member for Caulfield, David Southwick said.

Last year, a Nazi flag was waved over a home in the north-west area of Victoria but the authorities were unable to remove the flag as it was not legal.

"This abhorrent behaviour has no place in our state. The fact that you're having to ban something that shouldn’t be happening in 2021 is quite sad, but it’s necessary," Victorian attorney general, Jaclyn Symes said.

Authorities believe this new regulation is bound to “send a strong signal” to everyone in the whole state of Victoria.

Experts have appreciated the new regulation as new symbols of hate have been developed by several extremist groups. "New codes and symbols are continually being developed by hate groups and the legislation will need to be flexible enough to capture this," Peter Wertheim, the co-chief executive officer of peak Jewish body the Executive Council of Australian Jewry told the Guardian. "We hope the federal government will follow suit."

Experts and human rights activists are urging other states and federal government to follow the footsteps of the Victorian government and remove symbols of hatred from the whole nation.