In the wake of some recent anti-Semitic vandalism, the NSW government is considering updating its hate speech laws. They are considering modifying Section 93Z of the Crimes Act, to make “vilification” a criminal offence. It is already a criminal offence to incite violence against certain groups in NSW, so this is just about speech some people don't like.
While Australia’s peak Jewish body supports the changes, Catholic and Anglican groups are opposed, saying it could result in the criminalisation of expressions of Christian doctrine. This is a full out hate speech law, so it will impact other groups too, such as gender critical people.
The NSW government carried out a review into its hate speech laws in 2024 which recommended against changing 93Z to make vilification a criminal offence - it said that doing so would “introduce imprecision and subjectivity into the criminal law.” The NSW Council for Civil Liberties is strongly opposed, too.
Please write to your MP today to oppose adding more hate speech laws in NSW.