NSW Introduces Harsher Penalties for Displaying Nazi Symbols, Disrupting Places of Worship

A burnt out car with anti-semitic graffiti is towed away in Dover Heights, Sydney, Australia on Jan. 17, 2025. AAP Image/Neve Brissendeni

Individuals who intentionally incite racial hatred could face a maximum penalty of two years in prison under a proposed law introduced by the New South Wales government to tackle anti-Semitism and racism.

The display of Nazi symbols near places of worship, particularly synagogues, will also carry a maximum two-year sentence.

Premier Chris Minns, who announced the bill on Feb. 6, said the “strong new laws” were aimed at protecting the state’s multicultural community.

“We have seen disgusting acts of racial hatred and antisemitism. These are strong new laws, and they need to be because these attacks have to stop. NSW is a multicultural state, and these acts designed to intimidate and divide will not work,” said Premier Minns.

Expanded Scope of Offences

The new laws will expand the scope of aggravating circumstances in sentencing, meaning crimes driven by hatred or prejudice are penalised, regardless of their scale.

The Graffiti Control Act 2008 will be amended to include an aggravated offence for graffiti in places of worship.

New South Wales Labor Premier Chris Minns speaks to media during a press conference in Sydney, Australia on Jan. 29, 2025. AAP Image/Steven Saphore

The Crimes Act 1900 will introduce new provisions making it illegal to block access to places of worship, or harass individuals trying to access these locations.

Offenders could face up to two years in prison, with police granted move-on powers to tackle disruptive behaviour. The government also clarified that graffiti on places of worship is a “public act,” subject to tougher penalties.

“If you commit these acts, you will face severe penalties, and we make no apologies for that,” Premier Minns added.

The Minns government will allocate $525,000 for the NSW Police Force’s Engagement and Hate Crime Unit, and $500,000 to train local authorities in combating hate crimes.

The move comes new reforms follow a series of anti-Semitic incidents across the country, including vandalism, arson attacks, and the discovery of explosives targeting Jewish institutions.

Since the launch of Operation Shelter in October 2023, police have conducted over 300 daily patrols at high-risk locations, such as places of worship.

Opposition Pushes for Harsher Sentences, Labor Acquiesces 

Meanwhile, federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has proposed sweeping reforms to strengthen the sentencing regime for terrorism-related offences.

Dutton called for a mandatory minimum term of six years’ imprisonment for all acts of terrorism under Commonwealth law, and suggested amending draft laws to classify violence against places of worship as a hate crime, punishable by up to seven years in prison for aggravated offences.

Dutton also advocated for mandatory minimum sentences of 12 months imprisonment for the public display of prohibited Nazi symbols, as well as increasing the maximum penalty to five years for those who publicly give the Nazi salute.

On Feb. 6, the Labor government moved its own bill for a one-year mandatory prison sentence for anyone who displays a Nazi or terrorist symbol.

Other penalties include three years for financing terrorism, and six years for other terrorism offences. This can be mitigated by up to 25 percent if there is co-operation with law enforcement.