“Racial hatred is unacceptable – and under this new legislation, it will be a crime to publicly and intentionally incite racial hatred,” Attorney-General Michael Daley said.
A group comprising Labor LGBTQIA+ members said the law targeting harassment outside places of worship should protect more than just religious people.
“Hate is not specific to any one community, and the law must reflect that. It must protect everyone,” Rainbow Labor NSW said.
NSW Council for Civil Liberties called the proposed expansion of police powers to move on protesters near religious buildings a “knee-jerk reaction” that only suppressed the right to protest.
“The police already have broad powers to move people on and prosecute the use of hate symbols, arson, graffiti, and property damage,” President Timothy Roberts said.
