Jail sentence for Nazi salute in Australia

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February 6, 2025
2 min read

Jail sentence for Nazi salute in Australia

Terror offences and hate symbols will result in a mandatory jail sentence from one to six years under a new law in Australia. This comes after lawmakers introduced a range of amendments to its existing hate crime laws.

The new amendments were passed following a wave of antisemitic attacks which have led to heated debates in the country. Officials describe these amendments as the “toughest laws Australia has ever had against hate crimes.”

But critics say that the ruling Labor party has been caving to demands from the opposition. They add that its own policy has been opposing giving a mandatory jail sentence for certain crimes.

Displaying hate symbols or performing a Nazi salute are among the acts that are now punishable by at least a year behind bars under the new amendment. At least three years can be imposed for financing terrorism and six years for planning or committing terroristic acts.

Among the critics is former Labor senator Kim Carr who described it as a “clear breach of the Labor party national platform.” Labor has opposed mandatory sentences because it believes that they do not reduce crime, undermine the independence of courts, and can be discriminatory in practice.

But the opposition has not showered praise on the amendments, accusing the ruling party of dragging its feet on the changes.

“The parliament is not acting today because of the decisiveness of the Labor Party,” Liberal senator James Paterson told reporters in Canberra. “The prime minister has been dragged kicking and screaming to finally introduce tough legislation that will ensure there are real penalties for this behaviour.”

Nazi salutes and Nazi hate symbols have been illegal since January 2024 and can carry up to a year in prison. The new amendment will now make it a mandatory penalty.

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