BREAKING: NSW Premier Unleashes Zero-Tolerance Crackdown on Hateful Speech and Symbols in Wake of Bondi Massacre – Offenders Face TWO YEARS’ Jail or $22,000 Fines
- Premier Chris Minns vows to BAN “globalise the intifada” slogan, branding it “hate speech” that incites violence
- Offenders could face maximum two years’ imprisonment or whopping $22,000 fines for individuals, $110,000 for organisations
- Police to be granted more powers to remove face coverings during public assemblies, and ban terrorist symbols like ISIS flags
In a dramatic move to stamp out hateful speech and symbols, NSW Premier Chris Minns has announced a sweeping crackdown in the wake of the Bondi massacre. The premier declared war on the “globalise the intifada” slogan, labelling it “hate speech” that encourages violence in the community.
Minns vowed to ban the phrase, which has been used by some to show support for Palestinian resistance against Israel, but has been widely condemned by Jewish groups as anti-Zionist and inciting terrorism and anti-Semitism. “We’ll make it very clear that horrific recent events have shown that the chant ‘globalise the intifada’ is hate speech and it encourages violence in our community,” Minns warned.
Under the new measures, offenders could face a maximum two years’ imprisonment or fines of $22,000 for individuals and up to $110,000 for organisations. However, exceptions will be made for academic purposes or for another purpose in the public interest. The new laws will be brought to parliament on Monday.
Minns also announced that police will be granted more powers to remove face coverings during public assemblies, and to ban terrorist symbols like ISIS flags. “These changes, alongside tougher gun laws and temporary restrictions on public assemblies following a terrorist incident, are about protecting the community, and allowing NSW Police to focus on preventing harm,” Minns said.
Attorney-General Michael Daley will task the Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety with reviewing the new laws to reduce the risk of them being challenged in the courts. Daley slammed the display of terrorist symbols, saying: “The displaying of these symbols can only be done by someone who’s either deranged or has an intention to insult and intimidate and scare, and that is not on in New South Wales.”
The opposition leader, Kellie Sloane, said her party would consider the detailed proposals and legislation carefully once available. “The Opposition will continue to engage constructively and to put forward practical, proportionate policies to strengthen community safety, reinforce social cohesion and uphold confidence in the rule of law across New South Wales,” Sloane said.