NSW passes laws to shut down illegal places of worship in response to Bondi
May 10, 2026 by J-Wire News Service
Filed under Local, News
The NSW Parliament has passed legislation giving local councils stronger powers to shut down unlawful places of public worship, including the ability in serious cases to seek court orders to cut off water, electricity and gas to venues that continue operating in breach of planning laws.
Former Age editor calls out antisemitism in submission
May 6, 2026 by J-Wire News Service
Filed under Featured Articles
Veteran journalist Michael Gawenda has written a submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, drawing on a long career in Australian media, including as editor in chief of The Age.
Sydney ‘globalise the intifada’ forum moves to outdoor venue after council venue cancelled
A controversial Sydney forum defending the slogan “Globalise the Intifada” has been forced out of a City of Sydney venue following public backlash, with organisers claiming the decision has shifted to a new outdoor location.
Minns won’t intervene as ‘intifada’ event heads to council hall
April 23, 2026 by J-Wire News Service
Filed under Local, News
Senior state and federal politicians have declined to intervene in a controversial pro-Palestinian forum scheduled to be held at a City of Sydney venue.
Children’s book scrapped after illustrator’s remarks on Bondi victims
April 23, 2026 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Filed under Books, News
The University of Queensland Press (UQP) has cancelled a forthcoming children’s book after concluding it could not proceed without appearing to endorse public comments made by its illustrator following the Bondi terror attack.
Activist pleads insanity in latest test of Queensland hate speech laws
April 14, 2026 by J-Wire News Service
Filed under News
A 70-year-old activist has mounted an unusual legal challenge to Queensland’s new hate speech laws today, telling a Brisbane court he intends to plead insanity as a protest against the legislation.
Victorian Multicultural Commission forced to change charter after antisemitic statements
April 7, 2026 by J-Wire News Service
Filed under Local, News
A Melbourne Jewish community advocate has secured changes to the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)’s charter. The changes follow a legal complaint over antisemitic social media posts by a former commissioner.
Police find no offence at neo-Nazi rally as government keeps hate speech review secret
April 1, 2026 by J-Wire News Service
Filed under Local, News
A neo-Nazi leader who promoted a conspiracy theory about the Jewish community during a protest outside NSW Parliament did not breach racial vilification laws, according to a NSW Police review, as debate intensifies over the strength and clarity of the state’s hate speech regime.
Report warns of coordinated disinformation after London attack on Jewish ambulances
A new study has revealed a surge of antisemitic responses from Australian social media users following a suspected terrorist attack on Jewish emergency vehicles in London.
Extremist seeks forgiveness in court appeal over antisemitic speech
March 27, 2026 by J-Wire News Service
Filed under News
A Sydney man serving a 12-month jail sentence for an antisemitic speech at an Australia Day rally has told the District Court he regrets his actions, has rejected white supremacist ideology, and does not want to be perceived as “a hateful person”.
Major sponsor PwC pulls out of Biennale after DJ’s antisemitic chants
PwC has withdrawn its sponsorship and association from the Biennale of Sydney following controversy over antisemitic and antizionist remarks during the festival’s opening night on Friday.
Outrage after DJ leads antizionist chants at Sydney Biennale
Sydney’s Biennale of Sydney has come under renewed criticism after an American DJ used a festival performance to accuse Israel of genocide and lead chants supporting Palestinian “resistance” during the taxpayer-funded event.
NSW man charged over alleged Nazi symbol and online threats
March 12, 2026 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Filed under Local, News
A man from Armidale in NSW has been charged by the Australian Federal Police over the alleged display of a Nazi symbol and a series of threatening posts made online.
Leader defiant after police power warning left unheeded
A premier has accepted the buck stops with him after passing over internal advice that warned about excessive policing before he gave his state’s top officer extra power to restrict protests. Read more
Library loses literary awards after ‘martyr’ blowback
A library has lost its role managing a state’s literary awards after an Indigenous writer was criticised for her comments about a slain Hamas leader.
White supremacist extremism rising in Australia
The increase in terror charges for white supremacy and neo-Nazi ideologues has spurred concerns that not enough is being done to combat the threat.
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.
White nationalist admits inciting hate on Australia Day
A man who twice referred to Jewish people as the “greatest enemy” during an Australia Day rally speech has admitted promoting hatred with his vile remarks. Read more
Teen ordered to avoid Israeli president after threats
A teenager accused of threatening to kill Israel’s president ahead of his contentious visit to Australia has been ordered not to approach or contact the head of state.
Police investigate Melbourne posters depicting accused Bondi gunman
February 4, 2026 by J-Wire News Service
Filed under News
Melbourne City Council and Victoria Police are investigating the appearance of unauthorised posters around the city depicting the accused Bondi Beach gunman, Naveed Akram.
Dymocks drops author Matt Chun over antisemitic claims after Bondi
Australia’s major bookstore chain Dymocks has pulled all books by children’s author and illustrator Matt Chun from its shelves and website following accusations that his writings contain antisemitic views.
Bondi Beach massacre sparks online hate storm, report warns of normalised antisemitism
January 25, 2026 by Rob Klein
Filed under Featured Articles
In the aftermath of the terrorist shooting at Bondi Beach, online platforms erupted in antisemitism and Islamophobia, according to a new report from the Online Hate Prevention Institute (OHPI).
‘Light will win’ on national day of mourning
January 22, 2026 by AAP J-Wire
Filed under News
NSW Premier Chris Minns has used the national day of mourning to thank the Jewish community for bringing the country together while still raw with grief from the Bondi terror attack.
Neo-Nazi and Hizb ut-Tahrir target new hate speech laws
January 21, 2026 by AAP J-Wire
Filed under News
New hate speech laws are facing a potential legal challenge from a prominent neo-Nazi, just days after the legislation passed federal parliament.
Parliament honours 15 killed in Bondi Beach terror attack
Australia’s parliament fell into silence on Monday during a condolence motion in the House of Representatives, confronting the human cost of the antisemitic terror attack that killed 15 people at Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025.
ECAJ considers contempt action over extremist Islamic preacher’s video
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) is exploring contempt of court proceedings against Islamic preacher Wisam Haddad. This follows allegations that he violated a federal injunction regarding antisemitic statements in a recent online video.
Labor remains open to ‘other ideas’ on hate speech laws
The prime minister is making a last-ditch bid for bipartisan support for sweeping hate speech laws after failing to win backing from the coalition or the Greens.
Albanese faces pressure from religious groups over hate speech laws
January 16, 2026 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Filed under News
A coalition of faith leaders has urged the Prime Minister to reject a deal with the Greens on proposed antisemitism laws.
ECAJ calls for compromise on hate speech laws
January 15, 2026 by J-Wire Staff
Filed under News
Australia’s peak Jewish body has warned against a wholesale rejection of the federal government’s proposed hate speech legislation, as both the Coalition and the Greens signal they will not support the bill in its current form.
Concerns grow that antisemitism bill leaves dangerous loopholes
Representatives of the Jewish community have told a Senate committee the government’s draft antisemitism bill risks missing its mark unless key flaws are fixed. At the same time, support for the legislation is reportedly splintering ahead of a vote next week.
