The Nazi Hakenkreuz has been banned in public since 29 December 2022.
The Hakenkreuz is the most widely known Nazi symbol. It has become a symbol of the Nazi Party and its heinous crimes against humanity.
The Victorian Government has expanded this ban to include other symbols and gestures used by the Nazi Party and its paramilitary organisations.
Displaying Nazi symbols or performing Nazi gestures in public can be harmful. The hatred that these symbols and gestures represent is not tolerated in Victoria’s multicultural and democratic society.
The exceptions for the cultural and historical significance of the Swastika to Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and other faith communities remain unchanged.
It is not against the law to publicly display the Swastika (which may be mistaken for the Nazi Hakenkreuz symbol) for genuine cultural or religious purposes.
About the Nazi symbol and gestures ban
What is the offence?
The ban on the Nazi symbol and gestures comes under the Summary Offences Amendment Act 1966.
Under this law, it is a criminal offence if:
- you intentionally display the Nazi Hakenkreuz or perform a Nazi gesture in a public place or in public view
- you know, or should know, that what you have displayed or performed is a Nazi symbol or gesture.
For more information visit Fact sheet: Ban of Nazi symbols and gestures.
Where can I find more information about the legislation?
- Fact sheet: Ban of Nazi symbols and gestures
- Summary Offences Amendment (Nazi Symbol Prohibition) Act 2022 and Summary Offences Amendment (Nazi Salute Prohibition) Act 2023 on Victoria Legislation website
- Second Reading Speech on Parliament of Victoria Hansard website.
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