The NSW Government will today introduce two bills to protect places of worship and further criminalise Nazi symbols, as part of a crackdown on recent racial hatred and antisemitism.
The Crimes Amendment (Places of Worship) Bill 2025 is part of a package of reforms announced last week to give police additional powers and resources to respond to acts of racial violence and hatred.
The latest proposed changes to the Crimes Act create two new offences to ensure people of faith can attend their place of worship in safety:
- Intentionally blocking, impeding or hindering a person from accessing or leaving, or attempting to access or leave, a place of worship without a reasonable excuse; and
- Harassing, intimidating or threatening a person accessing or leaving, or attempting to access or leave, a place of worship.
The maximum penalty for the new offences is 200 penalty units and/or two years’ imprisonment.
The Bill will also amend the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 to authorise a police officer to issue a move on direction to a person who is participating in a demonstration, protest, procession or assembly occurring in or near a place of worship. This would not apply in circumstances where the relevant action is within an authorised public assembly.
The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Racial and Religious Hatred) Bill 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 Jewish Museum or a Jewish school; and
- Aggravates sentences when a person’s conduct is partially or wholly driven by hate.
These reforms provide greater protection to the community against public displays of hate and crimes that may be partially motivated by hate and prejudice.
The Department of Communities and Justice held targeted consultation on the legislation, including with faith institutions, key legal stakeholders and relevant government agencies.
The NSW Government is currently finalising new laws on hate speech.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
“Disgusting acts of antisemitism and intimidation have no place in NSW – acts designed to divide will not work.
“Our package is a strong response to recent antisemitism, but will also protect any person, of any religion.
“We are sending a clear message that these disgusting attacks have to stop.”
Attorney General Michael Daley said:
“People of faith have the right to attend their place of worship without fear or obstruction.
“Blocking access to a church, mosque, synagogue or other holy building is a completely unacceptable behaviour that has no place in our society. These proposed changes provide strong penalties and expand police powers to ensure people can practice their beliefs in safety.
“The NSW Government is also expanding the criminal law to send a clear message that inciting hatred is not just unacceptable, it will soon be criminal.
“We believe these proposed reforms strike the right balance between protecting people of faith and the community’s right to protest.”
