February 10, 2025 - NSW Premier Chris Minns must expand his hate crime reforms to include everyone in need of protection following horrendous attacks targeting LGBTQ+ people, says Equality Australia.
The Crimes Act already has an offence of publicly threatening or inciting violence on the grounds of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status and having HIV/AIDS.
The NSW Government is proposing a new criminal offence for intentionally inciting racial hatred, with a maximum penalty of two years in jail, in response to recent attacks on the Jewish community.
“There is no reason why this further offence couldn’t be applied to all attributes currently protected by the law,” said Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown.
“Any community that is being targeted by hate deserves to be protected under the law.”
According to media reports on Monday, LGBTIQ+ people are being targeted across the state including accusing people of being paedophiles during protests and in online hate.
“Without stronger laws that protect our community, these perpetrators are effectively granted a social licence to continue their abuse and harassment unchecked with the very real risk it will end with real-world violence,” Ms Brown said.
“The government should be stopping all hate before it escalates into acts of violence rather than prioritising the trauma and pain of one community over another.”
Ashley Scott, Executive Officer Rainbow Families:
Excluding LGBTIQ+ people from these reforms sends a dangerous message that our safety is less important.
"The same extremist groups targeting Jewish communities are also threatening rainbow families, migrants and other marginalised groups. We need laws that reflect this reality and protect all of us equally.
“We have seen firsthand how hate speech and threats impact our families—forcing us to cancel events and live in fear."
ACON CEO Michael Woodhouse:
“Recent threats and attacks on LGBTQ people across NSW highlights why our communities must be protected against hate speech.
“LGBTQ people deserve to be safe and live without fear. Hate speech laws must include sexuality and gender diverse communities.
“We urge the NSW Government to ensure hate speech laws includes protections for all communities, including LGBTQ people.”
Media contact: Emily Mulligan, emily.mulligan@equalityaustralia.org.au, 0411 207 633
