NSW government introduces new laws to crack down on hate crimes in places of worship

New laws to crack down on the rise in anti-Semitism attacks are one step closer to being passed in one state.

Tough new hate laws, including two years jail for racial hatred offences, will be debated in NSW Parliament following a rise in anti-Semitism attacks across the state.

The NSW Government introduced two bills on Tuesday to protect places of worship and further criminalise Nazi symbols, as part of a crackdown on recent racial hatred and anti-Semitism.

NSW has introduced tough new hate crime laws following a rise in anti-Semitism attacks in the state. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the amendments to the Crime Act will ensure residents aren’t subjected to hateful acts.

“Disgusting acts of anti-Semitism and intimidation have no place in NSW – acts designed to divide will not work,” he said.

“Our package is a strong response to recent anti-Semitism, but will also protect any person, of any religion.

“We are sending a clear message that these disgusting attacks have to stop.”

It comes days after the Federal government passed new laws prohibiting the display of hate symbols, funding terrorism and terror crimes.

The changes to the federal Hate Crime Bill will now carry mandatory minimum sentences of at least 12 months for displaying hate symbols such as Nazi signs, three years for financing terrorist groups and at least six years for terror offences.

Advocating for and using force or violence to threaten people or groups on the basis of race, religion, disability, ethnic origin or gender identity will also be banned under the new laws.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns have both called out the rise in an anti-Semitic attacks. Picture: NewsWire/ Julian Andrews

If the latest amendments are passed in NSW, the changes will give police additional powers and resources to respond to acts of racial violence and hatred.

The proposed changes will provide two new offences to will apply to anyone found guilty of intentionally blocking, impeding or hindering a person from accessing or leaving, or attempting to access or leave, a place of worship without a reasonable excuse and harassing, intimidating or threatening a person accessing or leaving, or attempting to access or leave, a place of worship.

Tabling the bill on Tuesday, Attorney-General Michael Daley said the changes would ensure people of faith can attend their place of worship in safety.

“People of faith have the right to attend their place of worship without fear or obstruction,” Mr Daley said.

“Blocking access to a church, mosque, synagogue or other holy building is a completely unacceptable behaviour that has no place in our society. These proposed changes provide strong penalties and expand police powers to ensure people can practice their beliefs in safety.

“The NSW Government is also expanding the criminal law to send a clear message that inciting hatred is not just unacceptable, it will soon be criminal.

“We believe these proposed reforms strike the right balance between protecting people of faith and the community’s right to protest.”

Attorney-General Michael Daley introduced the bill on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

The suite of new measures will aim 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 $22,000 in fines and/or two years’ imprisonment.

The NSW Government is currently finalising new laws on hate speech.

Originally published as NSW government introduces new laws to crack down on hate crimes in places of worship