Queensland is banning Nazi swastika tattoos to crackdown on hate speech
The Sunshine State is saying no to anti-semitism with a clear message that it will not be tolerated - even on people's skin.
One Australian state is taking a stand against anti-semitism by banning Nazi swastika tattoos and other symbols of hate.
Queensland will join the ranks of New South Wales, Western Australia, and Tasmania in ensuring hate symbol tattoos 'that seek to invoke fear' will not be permitted.
A spokesperson from the Sunshine State government told the Guardian that a bill pertaining to the proposed ban will be introduced into parliament in the coming weeks.
The ban will aim to 'strengthen Queensland’s hate crime laws' by outlawing symbols 'such as those related to Nazi ideology'.
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"The government is committed to protecting our diverse communities," Queensland Attorney General Shannon Fentiman's spokesperson said.
"Unlike the Victorian and ACT approaches, we do not intend to provide a specific exception for tattoos."
Ooh, shots fired.
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 had become law, would restrict a Victorian's rights to freedom of movement and expression, and it would make it difficult for them to take part in day-to-day life.
The law was also considered difficult to enforce.
The ACT has a similar ban on displaying the swastika that excludes tattoos.
Despite Victoria and the ACT's ink decision, other Australian states have moved to or have banned tattoos of hate symbols.
NSW has already banned the public display of swastikas and associated hate symbols, which does include tattoos.
Western Australia and Tasmania have proposed bans to nix such iconography from everyday life.
But now Queensland has entered the chat with plans to follow suit.
President of the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies Jason Steinberg welcomed the move by the state government.
He said the proposed legislation was a step in the right direction for Queensland.
"The banning of Nazi hate symbols, including tattoos, is a really welcome initiative," he told the Guardian.
"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."
So, there you have it.
If you're a Queenslander with a Nazi swastika tattoo, your days are officially numbered.
Perhaps use them to have a good, hard look at yourself.
Rachel Lang