New hate speech laws introduced

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The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBD) has welcomed new hate speech laws that were due to be introduced into NSW parliament today.

The Crimes Amendment (Inciting Racial Hatred) Bill 2025 establishes a new criminal offence for intentionally inciting racial hatred. It will make it a crime to intentionally and publicly incite hatred towards another person, or group of people, on the grounds of race with a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment and fines of up to $11,000 for an individual.

The Minns Labor Government has also increased funding for the NSW Engagement and Hate Crime Unit, the Safe Places for Faith Communities Grants – led by Multicultural NSW) – and the NSW Local Government Social Cohesion Grants Program.

“Racial hatred and antisemitism have no place in our society, and we are making it clear with this law,” Premier Chris Minns said.

“These are strong new laws because this disgraceful behaviour must stop.”

Attorney General Michael Daley said, “It is important for members of our community to be protected from conduct that causes them to fear for their safety, or to fear harassment, intimidation or violence.”

JBD president David Ossip thanked the NSW government for introducing the Bill and urged the parliament to “swiftly pass it into law”.

“These urgent changes will give law enforcement agencies the legal basis to criminally pursue those who incite hatred on the basis of race,” Ossip said.

“This package strikes a sensible balance by only criminalising hate speech which is so egregious that it would cause a reasonable person who was the target of the hate speech to fear for their safety or apprehend violence, intimidation or harassment.

“History and recent experience has taught us that what starts with words rarely ends there. We know that individuals do not commit crimes motivated by hate in a vacuum. Hateful rhetoric presages hateful acts of violence.”