Australia on Thursday passed anti-hate crime laws under which a Nazi salute in public, among other similar offences, will be punishable by a mandatory jail sentence.

Summary

Australia has enacted strict anti-hate crime laws, mandating jail sentences for public Nazi salutes and other hate-related offenses.

Punishments range from 12 months for lesser crimes to six years for terrorism-related hate offenses.

The legislation follows a rise in antisemitic attacks, including synagogue vandalism and a foiled bombing plot targeting Jewish Australians.

The law builds on state-level bans, with prior convictions for individuals performing Nazi salutes in public spaces, including at sporting events and courthouses.

    • Kusimulkku@lemm.eeEnglish
      12·
      15 hours ago

      If you consider a fine just a paywall then do you feel like there should be jail sentence for all traffic violations too, for example? A bit ridiculous, imo.

      • Jumuta@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        1·
        2 hours ago

        A fine works if it’s a significant amount of the finee’s net worth, but because fines are not scaled proportionally to finee’s net worth (or even scaled at all) it’s my opinion that these things just work as a paywall, including things like traffic violations.

        • Kusimulkku@lemm.eeEnglish
          1·
          2 hours ago

          You definitely can scale fines for income. We have that in Finland for more serious traffic violations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day-fine

          I just don’t believe the severity of the crime here at the lowest end calls for a year in jail. A fine, a hefty one, would serve the purpose better.