Anti-semitism has led to one Australian state banning Nazi swastika tattoos and other symbols that evoke hatred.
Queensland joins New South Wales and Western Australia in declaring that hate symbols tattoos “that invoke terror” will be banned.
The Guardian was told by a spokesperson from the Sunshine State government that the ban bill would be introduced into Parliament within the next weeks.
The ban will aim to ‘strengthen Queensland’s hate crime laws’ by outlawing symbols ‘such as those related to Nazi ideology’.
Shannon Fentiman, Queensland Attorney General, stated that “The government is committed towards protecting our diverse communities.”
“Unlike the Victorian or ACT approaches to tattoos, we don’t intend to make them an exception.”
The Australian state of Victoria did consider a ban on swastika tattoos, but the proposed legislation was dropped as it was found to contravene the state’s charter of human rights.
The bill, if it becomes law, would limit Victorians’ freedom to move and express themselves. It would also make their daily lives more difficult.
It was also difficult for the law to be enforced.
The ACT also prohibits tattoos being displayed on the swastika.
Despite Victoria’s decision not to ink tattoos on her body, the ACT and other Australian states have banned or moved towards banning tattoos that contain hate symbols.
Already, NSW bans the display and use publically of swastikas.
Both Tasmanian and Western Australia have proposed to ban such iconography from daily lives.
Queensland plans to join the chat.
Jason Steinberg, President of the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies, welcomed the decision by the state government.
He said that the legislation proposed was a positive step in the right direction of Queensland.
“They’re symbols of hate that represent the murder of six million innocent Jewish people and five million others that were industrially slaughtered by the Nazi regime.
“People who have these symbols…should know that it’s a criminal offense and our society shouldn’t and can’t tolerate it.”
If you’re a Queenslander with an Nazi swastika ink, it’s officially over.
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