The Crimes Amendment (Publicly Threatening and Inciting Violence) Bill 2018 is now law.
Chief Executive Officer
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies
Individuals who incite or threaten violence against people based on their race, religion or sexuality will risk a three-year jail sentence under the new laws.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Vic Alhadeff – spokesperson for the Keep NSW Safe campaign – said “This is a great day for NSW, a great day for Australia.
No one should ever have to live in fear because of who they are or what they believe.
The NSW government has made a powerful statement and said that incitement to violence will not be tolerated. Full credit to Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Attorney General Mark Speakman for identifying this gap in the law and full credit to the Labor Opposition and the minor parties for unanimously supporting this bill.”
Keep New South Wales Safe Alliance encompasses 31 community organisations and leaders.
With Alhadeff at its spokesman it has lobbied for the changes for three years.
The previous legislation had not produced a single prosecution.
The bill passed unanimously through both Houses of Parliament.