A proposed ban on Nazi symbols will go under the spotlight after attention on the hateful ideology was thrust back into the public arena following a protest in Victoria.
The opposition is leading the charge at the federal level, attempting to follow states such as Victoria and Western Australia in pushing for a ban on Nazi symbols.
Government ministers – while also admonishing Nazi protesters – halted the opposition’s push to legislate the ban, saying it needed more time to consider any complex legal issues.
They said the coalition’s proposal was rushed and was being used as a political stunt, something opposition frontbenchers strenuously denied.
Senior Liberal senator Simon Birmingham said the proposed legislation was legally sound and had considered issues relating to religious freedoms.
“The approach to the legislation has been to base it upon legislation applied in certain states and territories,” he said.
The bill will now head to a parliamentary inquiry, which will report back by May 4.
AAP