Symes consulting on Nazi symbol ban
It's understood legislation banning Nazi symbols will be introduced by the middle of this year.
“NAZI ideology and all forms of hate conduct have no place in our community – that’s why we’re banning them from being publicly displayed in our state.”
That was the message from Victoria’s Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes during her visit to the Ark Centre last week as part of ongoing consultations on the government’s proposed crackdown on symbols of hate.
A parliamentary inquiry recommended last year that the government bans the public display of Nazi symbols, but legislation to that effect has yet to be put forward.
During her visit Symes said, “We are consulting extensively to ensure we get this right – to protect our whole community from the harm caused by hate symbols, while protecting cultural and religious rights.”
The ban will not apply to the sacred swastika symbol used by the Buddhist, Hindu, Jain and other faith communities. To that end, the Attorney-General also paid a visit to the Hindu Sri Durga Temple in Rockbank for discussions with committee members, community leaders and key representatives from the Hindu Council of Australia.
It’s understood legislation banning Nazi symbols will be introduced by the middle of this year.
“We will carefully consider the feedback we receive through our consultations – including from the Jewish community – and look at any further action that needs to be taken to protect all Victorians from this abhorrent ideology,” said Symes.
Among those the Attorney-General met with during her visit were Member for Hawthorn John Kennedy, Ark Centre’s Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann and board member David Mandel, Zionism Victoria president Yossi Goldfarb, Jewish Community Council of Victoria president Daniel Aghion and past president Jennifer Huppert, Bialik College principal Jeremy Stowe-Lindner, communal stalwart Michael Debinski and Rabbi Aviva Kipen.
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