A proposal to ban Nazi symbols in Australia has been knocked back amid concerns the government had not been given time to adequately consider the bill.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton attempted to introduce legislation on Wednesday morning to amend the criminal code to make it an offence to display Nazi symbols without a reasonable excuse.
If agreed to, it would mean those caught displaying symbols — such as the Nazi salute, uniforms and other identified by the Executive council of Australian Jewry — could face 12 months in prison.
Leader of the House Tony Burke stressed that Labor’s decision to vote against allowing the legislation to be debated in the house was in no way a sign the government was against banning Nazi symbols.
“I would not want anyone, anyone at all, to see the parliament dividing on a vote in a few moments time and see that as evidence of division in the need to oppose the use of these symbols,” he said ahead of the vote.
“These symbols have been used for what has become the symbol of the worst of humanity. I was horrified to see them appearing in Melbourne.”
On Saturday, a group of anti-transgender demonstrators clashed with counter protesters outside of the Victorian parliament amid the Let Women Speak rally.
A group of 30 men from the neo-Nazi group the National Socialist Network joined the rally and repeatedly performed the Nazi salute.
The state government on Monday confirmed it would move to ban the Nazi salute in response to the weekend’s rally.
Mr Dutton, who challenged the government to bring on such legislation after the Attorney-General accused him of being silent on the matter, said there was “no issue of greater importance in parliament today”.
“We don’t seek to divide, we seek to unify through this action in parliament today … we seek to work together to send a very clear message, particularly to young Australians … who may be influenced online,” he said.
“Sadly, and repugnantly, there is growing incidence of glorification of Nazism in Australia.”
Mr Dutton’s motion comes just a day after the government accused the opposition leader of failing to condemn the neo-Nazi’s that attended the rally.
In his speech, the opposition leader weighed in on the fate of Victorian MP Moira Deeming, who is facing expulsion from the state party room for organising, promoting and attending the anti-trans rally.
Ms Deeming has denied any wrongdoing.