Australia Criminalizes Hitler Salute with Mandatory One-Year Prison Sentence

The new law, passed with bipartisan support, follows a surge in antisemitic incidents across the country.

The Australian Parliament has enacted a law mandating a minimum one-year prison sentence for performing the Hitler salute.
The legislation also introduces harsher penalties for terror-related offenses, including three years for terror financing and six years for participating in a terror attack.
The law was supported by both the center-left government and the conservative opposition, reflecting a unified stance against extremism.
Australia has recently experienced a series of antisemitic crimes, including arson at a Jewish daycare, attacks on synagogues, and antisemitic graffiti in Jewish neighborhoods.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the importance of prosecuting and imprisoning those involved in antisemitic activities, despite his party's general opposition to mandatory sentencing.