Jewish community welcomes Queensland government crackdown on hate speech and symbols

Jewish leaders in Queensland have welcomed sweeping new legislation aimed at banning terrorist symbols and extremist slogans, describing the reforms as a vital step towards restoring a sense of safety after what they say has been an unprecedented surge in antisemitism.

The laws, announced by Premier David Crisafulli and Attorney-General Deb Frecklington, will significantly increase penalties for offences targeting places of worship, criminalise harassment of people attending religious services, and expand bans on the public display of terrorist symbols, including those of Hamas, Islamic State, Hizballah and Nazi organisations.

The legislation will also create a new criminal offence for publicly distributing or reciting prescribed extremist slogans intended to menace or harass, including “globalise the intifada” and “from the river to the sea”, carrying a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment.

Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies president Jason Steinberg said the reforms would help restore confidence in a community that has faced sustained hostility.

“For the past two and a half years, the Jewish community has endured unprecedented levels of hate, intimidation and fear, and the reforms send a clear message that antisemitism and hate have no place in Queensland,” Steinberg said.

“Our community greatly appreciates the commitment by the Crisafulli Government to ensure Jewish Queenslanders can live, work and play just like any other Queenslander.”

He said the legislation represented a turning point, offering practical protection rather than symbolic reassurance.

“This bill moves beyond words and delivers real, practical protections for our community and for all people targeted by hate,” Steinberg said.

“This is not only a welcome and necessary step for Jewish people; it is vital for rebuilding the confidence we have lost as hatred has run rampant.”

The reforms come amid heightened concern across Australia following the December 14 Bondi terror attack and a broader rise in antisemitic incidents, including harassment, vandalism and threats directed at Jewish individuals and institutions.

Under the proposed changes, penalties for assaulting or threatening religious leaders will increase from two to five years’ imprisonment, while new offences will target those who impede or harass people attending religious services, with penalties of up to three years’ jail.

Damage to places of worship will be treated as a special category of offence, carrying a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment.

Premier Crisafulli said the legislation was designed to provide the strongest possible protections against extremist intimidation.

“This is about drawing a clear line and stamping out the embers of hatred that were allowed to burn unchecked for too long,” he said.

“The Jewish community has been clear: Queensland needs stronger legislation backed by real enforcement to drive out antisemitism, and that is exactly what we are delivering.”

Attorney-General Frecklington said the government was acting decisively in response to growing threats.

“We are bolstering protections for the Jewish community so they know that this government is doing everything possible to stop the rise of antisemitism,” she said.

Jewish leaders say the measures will help reassure families who have felt increasingly vulnerable, particularly when attending synagogues, schools and community events.

Queensland’s proposed legislation goes further than measures currently in place in other states. While New South Wales and Victoria have banned Nazi symbols and strengthened vilification laws, Queensland’s Bill specifically targets extremist slogans such as “globalise the intifada” and introduces stronger penalties for harassment at places of worship. Jewish leaders say the reforms represent one of the most direct legal responses yet to antisemitism at the state level, reflecting growing concern across Australia following a surge in antisemitic incidents.

The legislation was introduced to the Queensland Parliament on 10 February 2026 and is currently progressing through the legislative process.