The public display of hate symbols, like Nazi flags, will be banned in Queensland under proposed legislation introduced into parliament by the state government today.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said there was no room for hateful ideologies, after several recent anti-Semitic incidents in Brisbane.
"Our government promised to review and strengthen serious vilification and hate crime laws and this bill is delivering on that promise," she said.
"These reforms mean Queensland will have some of the strongest hate crime laws in the country."
The laws come after a Parliamentary inquiry looked into strengthening protections against hate crime and vilification following calls from community and religious leaders.
What are the proposed laws?
The draft laws, introduced by Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman, include a new "prohibited symbols" offence which will make it illegal to display, distribute or publish hate symbols that cause a member of the public to feel menaced, harassed or offended.
This includes publishing images or symbols online on social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook, or publicly displaying hateful tattoos.
The offence will attract a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment.
The reforms also include a new circumstance of aggravation for some offences.
This means criminals found guilty of violent crimes, including assault and grievous bodily harm, who are motivated by hateful ideologies, will face increased penalties, including longer jail terms.
"I think that sends a really serious message that racial vilification or vilification based on religion or sexuality, or gender identity will not be tolerated here in Queensland," Ms Fentiman told ABC Radio Brisbane.
It's important to note it won't be illegal to possess material displaying hate symbols, only to display it.
"We can't stop people from having this kind of really disturbing material. But if you display them and it causes people distress, then that will be illegal, and it will be a crime," Ms Fentiman said.
How would I report someone breaking these proposed laws?
Just like you would any other crime – by calling the police.
The new offence will give police officers and the courts expanded powers to prove a hate crime.
Officers will be permitted to access the phone records of suspected offenders, provided they have a warrant.
Will the Nazi salute be banned?
Victoria and Tasmania have moved to ban the Nazi salute after the gesture was used at a protest attended by neo-Nazis on the steps of Victoria's Parliament earlier this month.
Ms Fentiman said while Queensland wasn't banning the salute at this stage, these new laws could capture that behaviour.
"I would imagine that there is a strong case for prosecution under public nuisance with a statutory circumstance of aggravation that something like that was partly or wholly motivated by hatred," she said.
Are there any exemptions?
There will be exemptions to the proposed laws, with hate symbols permitted for educational, historical, and religious purposes, as well as cultural settings.
"There will be very sensible exemptions built into the legislation," Ms Fentiman said.
"We know, for example, that the swastika, as opposed to the Nazi hooked cross, is a religious symbol for people practising Hinduism and Buddhism."
Chief executive of Multicultural Australia, Christine Castley, said the reforms were a step in the right direction.
"The laws will enhance the safety of every person and every community in Queensland, especially for those culturally and linguistically diverse communities who all too often face harassment as they go about their lives in public spaces and places of worship," Ms Castley said.
"We will continue to amplify the voices of affected communities and individuals, and work with the Queensland government and response agencies such as the Queensland police to improve awareness and reporting of hate crimes."
