The display and possession of Nazi symbols in Western Australia will be banned under new legislation from the State Government.
It follows other Australian jurisdictions taking similar steps to block the use of Nazi symbols, with WA Attorney-General John Quigley saying the Government “will not tolerate hate groups” in the state.
Legislation
The Government said the display and possession of Nazi symbols will be banned “in certain circumstances” under the legislation. Prison sentences could be imposed for people who break the proposed laws.
There will be some exceptions to the law. This includes for “genuine” academic or educational purposes, the buying and selling of World War II memorabilia, and media reports published in the public interest.
The swastika will also be allowed to be used for legitimate religious purposes.
Will it pass?
The WA Government announced on Wednesday it would introduce the legislation to block the use of the Nazi symbol.
The WA Labor Government, led by Premier Mark McGowan, has a majority in both houses of Parliament. This means that if all Labor representatives vote together, they would pass the legislation without needing any support from other parties.
National outlook
Bans on the public display of Nazi symbols were enacted in NSW and Victoria last year.
Similar legislation has been introduced in South Australia and the ACT, with plans for the bans also announced in Queensland and Tasmania.
