Kellie Sloane MP
Leader of the Opposition
NSW Liberal Leader
Alister Henskens SC MP
Shadow Attorney General
The NSW Opposition will next week move to re-introduce legislation designed to strengthen community safety, protect social cohesion and reinforce public confidence in the rule of law, and is calling on the Minns Labor Government to reconsider its current position and support their urgent passage through the Parliament.
Leader of the Opposition Kellie Sloane said the horrific terrorist attack underscored the need for proportionate, responsible action.
"Sunday's attack was a profound shock to our State. It was an attack on innocent people in a public place, on the Jewish community, and on the values that bind NSW together," Ms Sloane said.
"It has forced us to confront a hard truth, when hatred is allowed to grow unchecked, the consequences are real, immediate and devastating."
"At a time of heightened social tension and rising antisemitism, bipartisan leadership on community safety is not optional, it is essential."
"The NSW Opposition stands ready to act constructively and responsibly. That is why we will re-introduce these measures and urge the Government to use the recall of Parliament to support their urgent passage."
The objectives of the Bills:
Crimes Amendment (Display of Nazi and Terrorist Symbols) Bill 2025
- Addresses a clear gap in current NSW law by extending existing offences beyond Nazi symbols to cover a broader range of extremist and terrorist symbols.
- Expands section 93ZA to include terrorist symbols, including symbols that a reasonable person would recognise as a terrorist symbol, which are not comprehensively captured under existing federal law.
- Targets the use of symbols that are deployed to intimidate communities, glorify violence and normalise extremist ideologies.
- Strengthens penalties to reflect the seriousness of the conduct, including higher 5 year maximum penalties, District not Local Court jurisdiction and the introduction of a standard 1.5 year imprisonment non-parole period.
- Sends a clear and unambiguous deterrent message that extremist hate, intimidation and glorification of terrorism have no place in New South Wales.
Summary Offences Amendment (Public Assemblies) Bill 2025
- Recalibrates the regulatory framework for public assemblies to better balance the right to protest with public order and the rights of the broader community.
- Requires decision-makers to consider public amenity and social cohesion, economic impact, disruption to the community and the public cost associated with proposed protests.
- Confers clearer powers on police and courts to assess and weigh these factors when determining whether a proposed assembly should proceed.
- Is designed to operate consistently with the implied freedom of political communication.
- Introduces measures to address repeat protests, the deliberate shielding of identity and the recovery of policing costs to deter intentional disruption and ensure accountability.
- Preserves the right to lawful protest while discouraging conduct that imposes unreasonable costs or disruption on the wider community.
Shadow Attorney General, Alister Henskens said the package was targeted and proportionate to risks that are no longer theoretical.
"NSW should confront hatred early, enforce its laws firmly, and stand united in defence of our shared values," Mr Henskens said.
"Previously the Government have voted against these sensible measures. Now is an opportunity for the Parliament to show bi-partisan support to strengthen community safety and social cohesion in NSW."
