NSW’s lower house approved laws criminalising Nazi symbols on Tuesday

By Samantha Allen

Published: August 9, 2022 | 6:50 PM GMT

After legislation making it illegal to use Nazi symbols was approved by the lower house of the state legislature on Tuesday, NSW is one step closer to outlawing them.

It comes after Victoria outlawed the Nazi swastika and the governments of Queensland and Tasmania promised to do the same.

Victoria passed legislation banning the public display of the swastika in June. The Queensland and Tasmania states governments have pledged to ban the symbol as well (pictured, a man wearing a swastika armband at a market in Melbourne)

The Nazi swastika, according to NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman, hurt and upset members of the community, especially Jews.

He said on Tuesday that “hateful and vilifying behaviour is utterly unacceptable in our society.”

The law permits the use of the sign for educational and religious reasons, but it still has to be approved by the upper chamber of the state parliament.

An addition to the statute stipulates that three and a half years after the laws take effect, a review of the laws must be conducted.

NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman (pictured) said the swastika distressed community members and was 'unacceptable in our community'

Jewish and Hindu organisations applauded the recommendation to prohibit the sign made earlier this year by a NSW legislative panel.

31 allegations of Nazi flags being displayed were made to NSW police in 2020, including one from a house close to a Sydney synagogue.

About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.