New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has ruled out repealing the state's new hate speech laws, despite criticism that they were rushed through parliament. The laws, passed last month, introduce a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment or fines of up to $11,000 for intentionally inciting racial hatred.
The legislation was introduced after a series of antisemitic incidents in Sydney, including Nazi symbols and antisemitic phrases graffitied onto synagogues, homes, and cars over the past five months. However, police have disclosed that some of these acts were not ideologically motivated but orchestrated by organized criminals.
Critics, including Greens MLC Sue Higginson and the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, have questioned the laws' workability and called for a parliamentary inquiry. Libertarian Party member John Ruddick has drafted legislation to repeal them, arguing they were rushed.
Premier Minns defended the laws, stating they send a clear message that racial hatred is unacceptable in the multicultural state. He emphasized that the laws apply to anyone, not just the Jewish community, and that repealing them would send a toxic message.
The laws do not cover hatred based on religion, sexuality, or gender. Meanwhile, Rabbi Mendel Kastel of Jewish House reported a surge in people seeking help due to rising antisemitism, noting that the impact on the community is significant regardless of motive.
