Australian State of Victoria bans public display of swastika

The Australian State of Victoria has become the first in the country to officially ban the public display of swastikas.

The Parliament of Victoria has set penalties amounting to $22,000 Australian dollars (over £12,000) and a twelve-month prison term for anybody proven to be breaking the law.

The law does not, however, prevent certain faith communities, including Hindus, Buddhists and Jains from using the swastika, which has an long history as a peaceful symbol that long predates its appropriation by the Nazi Party, as part of their religious practice.

Victoria Attorney General, Jaclyn Symes, said: “I’m glad to see that no matter what side of politics, we can agree that this vile behaviour will not be tolerated in Victoria.”

The Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, a group which combats antisemitism in Australia, Dvir Abramovich, said that “The fact that we’ve got a resurgent white supremacist and neo-Nazi movement is a cause for concern in every state.”

With antisemitism increasing worldwide, Campaign Against Antisemitism reports on antisemitic incidents globally.