The Minns Labor Government has passed three new bills to ensure the community is protected from racial hatred, offensive Nazi symbols, and desecration and harassment at places of worship.
The Government's package of legislation was developed in response to a series of unacceptable antisemitic attacks that caused community division and fear.
The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Racial and Religious Hatred) Bill 2025, Crimes Amendment (Places of Worship) Bill 2025, and Crimes Amendment (Inciting Racial Hatred) Bill 2025 all passed the Parliament overnight.
The legislation will create new offences and provide for tougher penalties for existing charges.
It will soon be a crime to:
- Intentionally block, impede or hinder a person from accessing or leaving, or attempting to access or leave, a place of worship without a reasonable excuse.
- Harass, intimidate or threaten a person accessing or leaving, or attempting to access or leave, a place of worship.
Such conduct is punishable by a fine of $22,000 or two years' imprisonment, or both.
It will also be a crime to intentionally and publicly incite hatred towards another person, or group of people, on the grounds of race - with an exception for directly referencing religious texts during religious teachings or discussions.
The incitement of racial hatred will attract a maximum penalty for an individual of two years' imprisonment, fines of up to $11,000, or both, while corporations can face fines of $55,000.
Our legislation also:
- Clarifies that graffiti is a "public act" for the purposes of the offences of threatening or inciting violence and displaying Nazi symbols;
- Provides for tougher sentencing for displaying by public act a Nazi symbol on or near a synagogue, the Sydney Jewish Museum or a Jewish school; and
- Aggravates sentences when a person's conduct is partially or wholly driven by hate.
The laws send a clear message that we take racial hatred and antisemitism seriously, and we are prepared to act quickly and decisively to protect the community.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
"The Government has acted quickly in response to disgusting acts we have seen in our state.
"Our package of legislation is a strong response to recent antisemitism, but it will also protect people of all races."
Attorney General Michael Daley said:
"This package of legislation will protect members of our community in a variety of ways.
"When we drafted these laws, we were mindful of preserving protest rights and freedom of political expression while also ensuring adequate community protection.
"In today's environment, this legislation sends a strong message that hatred will not be tolerated."
