The NSW Opposition is calling on the Minns Labor Government to outlaw the display of symbols of proscribed terrorist groups if the federal Parliament does not swiftly act to remedy possible gaps in the Commonwealth Criminal Code. Recent protests in Sydney and Melbourne saw the display flags of Hezbollah, an organisation officially recognised as a terrorist group by the Australian Government.
NSW Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said we can’t tolerate the glorification of violence and extremism on our streets.
“Tough legislation will ensure that NSW is no safe haven for those who support or sympathise with terrorist organisations. I urge the Minns Labor Government to show their commitment to public safety by being prepared to introduce such legislation,” Mr Speakman said.
Currently, the Commonwealth Criminal Code already makes it an offence to display the symbols of terrorist organisations in many circumstances, but not as a general offence; to prove an offence it is also necessary to prove another further matter, for example that the conduct involves dissemination of ideas based on racial hatred or intimidation. The NSW Opposition supports the call of federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton for the federal Parliament to fill any gaps and to prohibit the display of terrorist symbols more generally.
However, if the federal Parliament does not act to remedy gaps in Commonwealth Criminal Code, the NSW Opposition calls on the Premier to enact a ban. Such a ban should be modelled on section 93ZA of the Crimes Act 1900, enacted under the previous Liberals and Nationals Government and which prohibits the display of Nazi symbols. This would ensure that no terrorist organisation—be it Hezbollah, Hamas, or any other group—can promote their dangerous ideologies through symbols, such as flags and logos, in our communities.
Shadow Attorney General Alister Henskens said that there is no place in our multicultural society for the glorification of violent terrorist groups.
“The display in our streets of the symbols of terrorism is a threat to social harmony and an incitement to violence. Legislation should send a clear message that NSW will not allow any terrorist group to spread their repugnant ideology,” Mr Henskens said.
The recent protests have sparked widespread concern after Hezbollah flags were prominently displayed.
The NSW Opposition calls on the NSW Government to work with the Opposition in a bipartisan manner to ban the public act of displaying these symbols if the federal Parliament does not close the current legal gaps, to reinforce the state’s commitment to combating terrorism.
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