Queensland to introduce legislation banning Nazi symbols to strengthen response to hate crimes

The Queensland government will introduce the legislation to 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.

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.

She said Multicultural Australia was proud to have been a part of the Cohesive Communities Coalition, which had advocated for these laws.

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.