in breach of laws banning Nazi symbols in Australia. A 36-year-old man has been charged after allegedly displaying a Nazi hate symbol tattoo at Bar Beach in Newcastle on Christmas Eve. Police were called to the popular beach after members of the public reported seeing a man with what was believed to be an SS Schutzstaffel (SS) symbol tattooed on his leg. The SS insignia was associated with the elite guard of the Nazi regime and is prohibited under Australian laws banning the public display of Nazi symbols. Following an investigation, officers arrested the man at a home in Urunga, south of Coffs Harbour, at about 6:30pm on Saturday. He was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station and charged with knowingly displaying a Nazi symbol in public. The man was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear before Newcastle Local Court on January 22, 2026. Witnesses described the symbol as intimidating and particularly offensive given heightened concerns following recent antisemitic incidents targeting Jewish communities. Australia introduced federal laws in 2022 making it an offence to publicly display Nazi symbols, with penalties aimed at curbing hate speech and extremist intimidation.