Victoria is set to ban the public display of the Nazi salute within days after the new laws banning the action were fast-tracked.
The bill, which would make it illegal to publicly display or perform a Nazi salute, was passed by the state’s upper house overnight.
Anyone caught breaking the rules will face penalties of more than $23,000, 12 months imprisonment or both.
Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed the historic change on social media last night, with new laws coming into effect as early as this weekend.
“Parliament has passed legislation to ban the Nazi salute and other gestures and symbols used by the Nazi Party,” Allan said.
“I wish making these new laws wasn’t necessary, but we’ll always do what we need to do to tackle hatred, antisemitism and racism.”
It’s understood the ban will include a broad range of symbols and gestures used by the historic Nazi Party and its paramilitary organisations, including anything which closely resembles a Nazi symbol or gesture.
Exceptions will apply if the performance or display of a Nazi symbol or gesture is done in good faith for a genuine academic, artistic, educational or scientific purpose.
The Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich applauded the move, calling it as a “thunderous victory”.
“I applaud those who voted ‘Yes’ for the bill, not only honouring our sacred values and our common humanity but also paying a momentous tribute to the brave diggers who fought and died to defeat Hitler’s machinery of death,” he said.
“This historic occasion commemorates the memory of the six million Jews and millions of others exterminated by the Nazis and the Holocaust survivors who rebuilt their lives here.
“Law enforcement will have the tools to arrest and stop people from doing this ugly symbol. And although our work is not done, this is one more step forward in protecting the wells and foundations of democracy, our cherished way of life and our country.”
The state government made moves to ban the public display of Nazi symbols last year.
In June, the federal government announced it would ban the public display of Nazi symbols.
This will bring the state in line with NSW and Tasmania, who have previously made the change.
(9 News)
