SA latest state to ban Nazi salute amid spike in abuse
Displaying Nazi symbols and gestures in public could soon land South Australians behind bars following a rise in “extremist” behaviour.
Laws set to be introduced to state parliament next year would impose fines of up to $20,000 or a year in jail for people caught exhibiting swastikas or the Roman salute, SA Attorney-General Kyam Maher says.
The move would help ensure SA remains a safe and inclusive place, especially for the Jewish community, amid a rise in “extremist, hateful behaviour” around the country.
“The very rich diversity and cohesion of our multicultural society in South Australia is one of our greatest strengths, but we need to be careful and vigilant to protect that,” Mr Maher told reporters on Wednesday.
“This sort of hatred and division has no place in South Australia.”
Data collected by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry showed there had been a 591 per cent increase in reported incidents of anti-Semitism in Australia this year.
Greg Adams, chair of the Adelaide Holocaust Museum, said staff had been concerned for their safety after a number of recent anti-Semitic incidents, including a group of people performing Nazi salutes outside the building.
“Our submissions to government were that we are feeling it on the ground and that anti-Semitism is a real threat,” he said.
“The rise of far-right nationalism is a real threat and needs to be dealt with appropriately.”
It’s hoped the legislation would also protect other multicultural groups from religious and racist abuse.
In a submission to an SA parliamentary committee, the Islamic Society of South Australia said Muslim Australians were frequently subjected to vilification from neo-Nazi groups.
Instances of anti-Muslim abuse reported to the Islamophobia Register Australia have increased 13-fold since October 7.
The legislation will protect good faith usage of Nazi symbols – such as in religious or education circumstances – while being broad enough to capture attempts by neo-Nazis to skirt around the law, Mr Maher said.
Western Australia and the Northern Territory are the only jurisdictions yet to announce legislation for some form of ban.
The federal government on Tuesday announced it would outlaw the Nazi salute and hate symbols under new counter-terrorism laws.
SA Shadow Attorney-General Josh Teague said the opposition would consider the legislation when it is presented to them.
“The display of Nazi and other symbols for the purpose of promoting racism is abhorrent,” he said.
“It has no place in South Australia.”
AAP
