UPDATE: New laws aimed at criminalizing the public display of “hateful” symbols and slogans were just announced by NSW Premier Chris Minns in response to the tragic Bondi Beach attack that claimed 15 lives last weekend. The proposed legislation will target flags and chants associated with banned terrorist organizations, including the Islamic State, Al-Qaeda, Hamas, and Nazi groups.
The announcement comes as a direct reaction to an alarming rise in terrorism and extremist rhetoric. Minns stated, “Things are going to change… There’s a difference between before Sunday and after Sunday. This is a threat to every citizen of NSW.” The new laws are set to be introduced in parliament on Monday, October 9, 2023.
Under the proposed legislation, displaying symbols associated with terrorism will be illegal, but possession of such items will remain lawful. This move aims to simplify prosecution efforts, as current Commonwealth laws are often challenging to enforce. Minns emphasized that an Islamic State flag was allegedly displayed on the car of the two men accused in the Bondi massacre.
In a chilling development, Islamic State claimed responsibility for inspiring the attack, according to Dr. Andrew Zammit, a terrorism expert at Victoria University. He noted, “Since October 7, we’ve had around 20 Islamic State-associated terrorist attacks in Europe,” a significant increase compared to previous years, with many targeting Jewish communities.
The legislation will also outlaw the pro-Palestine chant “globalise the intifada,” which Minns described as hate speech that incites violence. He stated, “Horrific recent events have shown that this chant encourages violence in our community.” However, the Palestine Action Group criticized this characterization, defending the chant as a legitimate expression against occupation.
In addition to banning hate symbols, the new laws will grant police enhanced powers to demand the removal of face coverings from individuals suspected of offenses during public assemblies. Currently, officers can only request the removal of masks if arresting someone for an indictable offense.
The penalties for violating these new laws could be severe, with a maximum punishment of two years’ imprisonment or a $22,000 fine for individuals, and up to $110,000 for organizations. Exceptions may apply for academic or public interest displays.
As the legislation gains momentum, NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane has stated that the opposition will carefully evaluate the proposed laws once presented. She emphasized the importance of constructive engagement to enhance community safety and uphold the rule of law.
This urgent move to ban hateful displays reflects growing concerns over public safety and the need for immediate action to counteract extremist ideologies. As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the NSW parliament when the legislation is introduced next week.
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