NSW government to crack down on perpetrators of hate speeches

The shocking attack outside the NSW Police headquarters at Parramatta on Oct. 2 has prompted the government to consider amendments to the existing hate speech laws. The decision also follows demands by the opposition to introduce stricter laws to prevent the “radical preachers” from spreading racist sentiments.

“We cannot allow violent race hate speech to fan flames of division and tear our community apart,” the Guardian quoted NSW’s attorney general Gabrielle Upton as saying on Monday. “Make no mistake, words are dangerous weapons for race hate preachers and violent extremists. Change is needed to disarm them and to safeguard our inclusive, pluralist and harmonious community.”

The changes to the law not only would be applied to prevent hateful racist comments but would also provide more protection to gay and transgender people from facing abuses.

The standing committee on law and justice had suggested changes to the section 20B of the anti-discrimination act in 2013 in a report. But no step had been taken under three successive attorney generals to implement the recommended changes.

According to the recommendations suggested in the reports, there should be stricter laws penalising those who indulge in using hate speech against others and also a more accurate definition of what that includes.

The announcement by the government came after the strict political group catering to the Muslim community, Hizb-ut Tahrir, announced a conference next month to launch a direct attack against the government. The cause is also being publicised widely across Sydney with posters showing Muslims going through sufferings for “being a Muslim citizen.”

According to a Muslim leader who did not wish to be named, hate speeches against the community have gone “mainstream” in Sydney. "These groups won't openly advocate violence but they'll push young guys right to the edge then wash their hands of it," the Herald Sun quoted him as saying.

Upton said that the changes would be largely based on the recommendations by the law and justice committee and would be drawn on public opinion. “It is vital that we get any changes to the law right from the outset,” she said.

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