Overview
- Proposed Crimes Act changes would make public support for Nazi ideology an offence, with penalties of up to 12 months in prison or an $11,000 fine.
- Stronger penalties of up to two years’ jail or a $22,000 fine would apply if the conduct occurs near a synagogue, a Jewish school or the Sydney Jewish Museum.
- Police would gain powers to order suspected Nazi symbols be removed, penalise refusals with a $2,200 fine or three months’ jail, and compel people to reveal their identity for related investigations.
- The legislation clarifies that these offences apply even when a protest is authorised, and the government will also move to remove the sunset clause on the racial hatred offence.
- The package follows a November 8 rally of about 60 neo-Nazis outside NSW Parliament, as the federal government separately revoked attendee Matthew Gruter’s visa and detained him for deportation.