NSW Moves to Ban ‘Public Displays of Nazi Ideology’

The New South Wales (NSW) Minns Labor government has introduced legislation to ban public displays of Nazi ideology.

The move comes following a neo-Nazi rally outside Parliament House where 60 men allegedly chanted a Hitler Youth slogan in front of a banner reading, “Abolish the Jewish lobby.”

NSW Attorney General Michael Daley told parliament the government was pleased to introduce the Crimes and Summary Offences Amendment Bill 2025.

“The bill responds to the recent neo-Nazi activity that took place outside New South Wales Parliament on 8 November this year,” he said (pdf).

He said this “abhorrent conduct” highlighted the need to give police and courts greater powers to hold extremists to account.

“What we saw outside Parliament on 8 November was absolutely unacceptable,” he said.

“Around 60 protesters assembled outside Parliament House in military formation, dressed in black uniforms, and displayed banners bearing anti-Jewish messages while chanting slogans linked to the Hitler Youth,” he said.

“It is clear that Nazi references and imagery were being used to convey messages of anti-Semitism, hatred and intimidation.”

Daley said the NSW government condemned the behaviour.

“Freedom of speech does not extend to hate speech or incitement. This kind of activity undermines the values that hold our state together, including decency, tolerance, trust and mutual respect,” he said.

“With the bill, the government is giving police and the courts additional tools to hold Nazi extremists to account for promoting their abhorrent and unacceptable views.”

One Year in Prison or $11,000 Fine

The Crimes Act 1900 will be amended to prevent public displays in support of Nazi ideology.

This includes imagery, gestures, or speech such as chanting or slogans. Anyone caught engaging in this conduct will be subject to a $11,000 fine or one year in prison.

Under the legislation, police will also receive new powers to order the removal of “suspected Nazi symbols” from public display.

Daley said the new laws complement other legislation the government has put forward to “protect against racial vilification and hatred.”

He noted that since 2022, NSW law prohibits the display of Nazi symbols. However, the amendment introduces a new section 93ZA into the Crimes Act including conduct offences on top of displaying symbols.

“First, the person must knowingly engage in the conduct by a public act and without reasonable excuse,” Daley said. “Next, the person’s conduct must knowingly indicate support for Nazi ideology by invoking imagery or characteristics that a reasonable person would consider to be associated with Nazi ideology.”

Daley also said a “reasonable person” must deem the act to cause fear of harassment, intimidation, or fear.

The bill was referred to the Legislative Assembly Committee for Law and Safety for an inquiry and report.

Government Response Under Scrutiny

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman used Question Time to pressure the government on what further action it was taking to deal with the neo-Nazi rally.

“Has the attorney-general requested the Director of Public Prosecutions [DPP] to consult with him on whether any prosecutions could or should be laid arising out of the 8 November neo-Nazi rally outside Parliament House?” Speakman said.

Daley said he had not consulted with the DPP directly.

“In the first instance, we have all universally condemned the conduct that was displayed outside Parliament House on that day,” he responded.

Following the rally, NSW Shadow Minister Kellie Sloane was forced to deactivate her X account after she allegedly received threats upon condemning the rally.

While the Albanese government announced it had cancelled the visa of a South African man who was part of the event.

“If someone turns up for the purposes of just abusing people and wrecking the place and damaging the cohesion, you can ask them to leave,” said Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.