NSW government to bring in tougher laws to combat public displays of Nazi ideology
An estimated 60 people from the National Socialist Network attended a rally outside NSW parliament house in November. (Supplied: X)
In short:
The NSW parliament will give greater powers to police and courts to combat displays of Nazi ideology.
About 60 neo-Nazis held a rally outside NSW parliament on November 8, prompting the government to act.
The new laws will ban the use of Nazi chants and slogans.
Police and courts will be given greater powers to combat public displays of Nazi ideology in NSW following a rally outside state parliament earlier this month.
The rally on November 8 featured two rows of men clad in black, displaying a banner calling to "Abolish the Jewish lobby".
The group of about 60 also chanted a slogan associated with the Hitler Youth, "blood and honour".
The government on Wednesday said it would amend the Crimes Act 1900 to ban conduct which indicated support for Nazi ideology without reasonable excuse and in public.
This includes banning the use of Nazi chants or slogans.
Displaying Nazi symbols is already banned in the state.
Police and courts will be given greater powers to combat public displays of Nazi ideology in NSW. (Facebook: Parliament of NSW)
Under the reforms being introduced into NSW parliament on Wednesday, someone who engages in this conduct will face up to a year's imprisonment or a maximum fine of $11,000.
Stronger penalties — up to two years' imprisonment or a $22,000 fine — will apply to someone who commits this offence near a synagogue, Jewish school or the Sydney Jewish Museum.
NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley said police and courts would be given additional powers "to hold Nazi extremists to account for their abhorrent views".
"The deplorable stunt we saw outside NSW parliament has no place in our society. Nobody should be subject to this vile hatred because of their background or faith,"he said.
"These tough new laws are complemented by the suite of legislation the government has already put in place to protect against racial vilification and hatred."
Michael Daley says the new laws will "protect against racial vilification and hatred". (AAP: Joel Carrett)
In a statement, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies President, David Ossip said the group "wholeheartedly welcome" the government's proposed changes.
"The Nazi ideology and the growth of white supremacist groups do not merely endanger communal safety and cohesion but are fundamentally subversive to the values and structures of our democracy.
"These amendments, should they pass into law, are a welcome step in ensuring that the despicable scenes witnessed outside NSW Parliament House are never able to be repeated."
Jail or fines for offenders
The bill will also introduce new powers allowing police to order a person to take down a suspected Nazi symbol.
Refusing without reasonable excuse will become an offence punishable by a maximum fine of $2,200 or imprisonment up to three months.
NSW Police will be able to order someone to reveal their identity, if the information is reasonably suspected to aid an investigation for an alleged Nazi symbol or Nazi conduct offence.
Many of the people who attended the rally outside of parliament had their faces covered.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said police had to make "finely balanced decisions in real-time".
"If you get it wrong, either way it has big implications, massive ramifications,"he said.
"It could lead to the charge that the police have incorrectly arrested someone and breached their free speech opportunities.
"At the same time, you could have a naked display of racism on our streets, so we want to make sure and help the police with big bright lines so that it doesn't just come down to arbitrary judgements on a random Saturday afternoon."
Mr Minns said existing police powers requiring protesters to remove face coverings was an example of how the law could be used to target hate speech and racial vilification.
"It's meant that individuals that wanted to hide in the shadows and be a part-time Nazi have realised they can't, you're really going to have to stand up and expose yourself to your family, your friends and your community that you're part of this obnoxious organisation," he said.
South African Matthew Gruter, who attended the rally in Sydney, was taken to a detention centre on Tuesday after having his visa revoked and is expected to be deported.