Tough new hate laws, including two years jail for racial hatred offences, will be introduced in NSW following a shocking rise in anti-Semitism attacks.
Premier Chris Minns says the government has acted following the recent escalation of graffiti, racial hatred and anti-Semitism in the community, which also included a fire attack on a childcare centre.
“We have seen disgusting acts of racial hatred and anti-Semitism,” Mr Minns said.
“These are strong new laws, and they need to be because these attacks have to stop.
“NSW is a multicultural state, and these acts designed to intimidate and divide will not work.”
The Minns government will bring a suite of new measures to provide police additional powers and resources as it battles the rise of attacks on the Jewish community following the Hamas terror attack on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza.
Anyone found guilty of intentionally inciting racial hatred or displays a Nazi symbol on or near a synagogue will face two years imprisonment.
Mr Minns said although the laws had been drafted following the recent anti-Semitic violence,
they would apply to “anyone, preying on any person, of any religion”.
“If you commit these acts, you will face severe penalties, and we make no apologies for that,” he said.
Attorney-General Michael Daley said the reforms would send a clear message to those hoping to disrupt the community by spreading hate.
“Blocking access to places of worship, graffitiing sacred sites, or inciting hatred are wholly unacceptable behaviours that have no place in our society,” Mr Daley said.
“These proposed changes strengthen penalties and expand police powers to maintain order across the community.
“The Minns government is expanding the criminal law to send a clear message that inciting hatred is not just unacceptable it will soon be criminal.”
The reforms will also amend the laws by making it an aggravated offence for creating graffiti on a place of worship.
Anyone also found guilty of intentionally blocking access to a place of worship without reason or harassing, intimidating or threatening people trying to access the place of worship would be facing a maximum penalty of two years in jail.
In addition to these strengthened laws, the Minns government is also increasing
funding to support the NSW Police Force Engagement and Hate Crime Unit by $525,000. This will allow for boosted engagement and communications with the community, including additional synagogue and school visits.
The NSW Local Government Social Cohesion Grants Program will also receive an extra $500,000 to support local governments address rising prevalence of hate crimes.
The NSW Police Force previously launched Operation Shelter in October 2023 shortly after the Hamas attack on Israel.
More than 300 proactive patrols are conducted under Operation Shelter every day. These centre around significant sites such as places of worship.
Resources from Traffic and Highway Patrol, the Regional Enforcement Squad, dog unit and Pol Air have also been brought in to help local police on the ground.
Strike force Pearl has been established to investigates these hate crimes and doubled its full-time dedicated detectives from 20 to 40.
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