Racist remarks could land you a fine of up to $55,000—learn more about the latest legislation now

Racial hatred and anti-Semitic acts have sparked a major legal shift, with new laws now in place to crack down on public incitement of such hate.

What started as an effort to address escalating tensions has rapidly transformed into a serious push for change, putting the spotlight on how laws are evolving to protect communities.

New laws introduced in New South Wales aimed to tackle anti-Semitism and racist crimes, imposing severe penalties for offenders.


The state government had taken swift action in response to a troubling increase in racist incidents, including graffiti and vandalism in Sydney.

Under the new legislation, anyone making racist remarks publicly could face up to two years in jail and fines reaching $11,000.

The government had made it clear that these tougher measures were necessary to ensure perpetrators faced the full force of the law.


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New law targets racist remarks with hefty penalties. Image source: Pexel/Afrika ufundi


The bill, which was presented in parliament on 13 February 2025, specifically targeted public incitement of racial hatred.

'Racial hatred is unacceptable – and under this new legislation, it will be a crime to publicly and intentionally incite racial hatred,' said Attorney-General Michael Daley.

He emphasised the importance of protecting community members from actions that instil fear of violence, harassment, or intimidation.

The Crimes Amendment would introduce a new offence under section 93ZAA of the Crimes Act 1900.

This would carry a penalty of up to two years behind bars and fines of $11,000 for individuals.


Corporations found guilty of the offence could face penalties of up to $55,000.

The move followed a series of anti-Semitic attacks that had shaken Sydney and Melbourne, including firebombings and the defacement of properties with swastikas.

In response, a special task force had been established by NSW Police to focus on these targeted crimes.

The government remained committed to balancing free speech, noting that the new laws would not infringe upon political discourse or religious teachings.

'It is important for members of our community to be protected from conduct that causes them to fear for their safety, or to fear harassment, intimidation or violence,' Daley had added.

Another measure, introduced in the same legislative package, criminalised graffiti at religious sites.

There were also laws aimed at preventing harassment of worshippers attempting to access places of worship such as synagogues, churches, or mosques.


However, some civil rights groups had raised concerns about the potential for abuse of these laws during protests or demonstrations near religious institutions.

Despite a November 2024 review that had advised against expanding such laws, the government pushed forward with its reforms.

The introduction of these laws comes at a time when public incitement of hatred was increasingly under scrutiny in Australia.


In a previous story, we covered a heated exchange caught on tape in a public car park that sparked debate about racism.

This incident highlights just how quickly tensions can escalate in everyday situations.

To learn more about what happened, read the full story here.

Key Takeaways
  • New laws in New South Wales aimed to curb anti-Semitism and public racial hatred, imposing penalties like up to two years in prison and fines of up to $11,000 for offenders.
  • The bill, introduced on 13 February 2025, focused on tackling public incitement of racial hatred and included penalties for corporations up to $55,000.
  • These measures were in response to escalating anti-Semitic incidents in Sydney and Melbourne, including graffiti and firebombings, with a special taskforce set up by NSW Police to address the issue.
  • Despite concerns from civil rights groups about potential abuses of the laws, the government pressed ahead, ensuring that the new laws wouldn't infringe on free speech or religious teachings.

With these new laws in place, it’s clear that tackling racial hatred is a top priority for the government.

But do you think these tougher penalties will be enough to curb hate speech? Could they have unintended consequences?

Share your thoughts in the comments!
 
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Let me tell you why I am so vocal on this subject.

In 1990, I was the victim of an attack by three Muslim arseholes when I was slit with a knife in the neck and left arm then set on fire. Nearly 35 years later, the physical and psychological scars are more than apparent.

I bear these "tattoos" did I didn't ask for. I have major scars on both arms and lesser ones on my left leg and torso.

THIS IS THE REASON FOR MY EXTREME HATRED OF THESE MUSLIM PIGS!
Here's the proof.40629-thumbnail_IMG_20240111_135331744.jpg40628-thumbnail_IMG_20240111_135313776.jpg

This was a minor part of a "war" that waged between Lebanese drug dealers and Australian anti heroin people, resulting in four deaths.

So @Jen61, still bowing down to your Arab mates?
 
Here's the proof.View attachment 69005View attachment 69007

This was a minor part of a "war" that waged between Lebanese drug dealers and Australian anti heroin people, resulting in four deaths.

So @Jen61, still bowing down to your Arab mates?
I don't have arab mates for one. I can understand your hate for the mongrels that attacked you, it doesn't mean you need to hate all of them.
 
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Walking through Roselands Shopping Centre when I was 14, four Muslim whores called me an "Aussie wog" and laughed.

Had it happened five years later, there would have been four seriously damaged ragheads.

Oh!! I just made a "racist" comment! Slap my wrists!
You hatred for racist comments aimed at you doesn't excuse hating all Muslims.
 
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should have been started 8th october 2023. all of a sudden they are trying to stem racism which is out of hand and whose fault is it, the governments. think back to the opera house oct 2023. funny is it not we do not see the jewish people parading about like a lot of terrorists. no guts no glory labour, your too late now.
 
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They only had the “guts” to say that to a white Aussie kid because there were four of them.
That happens with all sorts of people. It shouldn't happen to anyone. You hating Muslims won't undo what happened to you. Hate only eats you up. Dont let someone's hate towards you defeat you.
 
I don't have arab mates for one. I can understand your hate for the mongrels that attacked you, it doesn't mean you need to hate all of them.
Agree, but there are TOO MANY, especially now!
But..., it's still the quality, not the quantity!
 
I don't have arab mates for one. I can understand your hate for the mongrels that attacked you, it doesn't mean you need to hate all of them.
The SDC site wouldn't handle my volume of experiences of physical violence against myself and friends by arsewipes such as Muslims, Sudanese, Somalians, Albanian, Indians and Nigerians. And a few of unknown origin.

I would "break" the internet!
 
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You hatred for racist comments aimed at you doesn't excuse hating all Muslims.
No trust is afforded to ANY of these germs.

I have an Afghan mate who has proudly denounced anything Muslim, eats pork products and drinks alcohol. His community has condemned him.

I have another mate who was born in Gaza who did the same thing. But we DON'T mention anything about the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Both of these people are proud to embrace the Australian way of life. Why can't the other 100000s of other Muslims do the same thing.
 
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Minns Labor government should have acted promptly in October 2023 when this public hatred blew up in Sydney. Let’s never forget Hamas had burst into a concert, raped, murdered and kidnapped people who were socialising and enjoying themselves. It was absolutely abhorrent to Australia. Yet the demonstration at the Sydney Opera House was allowed to continue. Hatred and damage have escalated since then and the failure by the Labor government to condemn and stop the first demonstration was a contributing factor to the nastiness and damage that has continued, towards a group that has assimilated and contributed in our great country.
Jan
agree but it all lies with the labour government who should have acted 8th octoed 2023. i now have become very racist towards palestinians and this is due to the government allowing this to esculate.
 
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My daughter taught in a school in Green acres 90% Moslem and taught twin boys who were very violent towards everyone. One of those boys often threatened that he was going to cut my daughters throat.
Parent would be asked in for an interview, the father thought it funny.
The mother when she dropped the boys off at school spoke to my daughter and told her she understood her concerns but whenever she tried to discuss this with her husband she would be sent to his other wives house for aweek where she copped abuse.
These boys were in year 4

My daughter told me the other week how these boys are now 18 and she heard one of them is now in jail.
There is just no respect for these poor women. What a horrible controlled life they lead and l suppose they wouldn't dare to teach their children more respect towards women so it just goes on. l wonder what these children think about their mothers?
These twins should have been kicked out of the school that is unacceptable .
Send them back where they came from jail is too good for them.
 
I’m with you Jeni. I have zero tolerance for any form of terrorism & any form of racism regardless of the reason. My dad fought in WW2 & certainly had issues with the Japanese but he kept his thoughts to himself. He very rarely spoke of the terrible things he had seen or been subjected to. I do think that when people come here they should learn our language & assimilate, not us having to fit in with them. Unfortunately various governments over the last few years have allowed this to happen. I’m certainly rather concerned about the growing number of white supremasts, they seem to be springing up everywhere. What a troubled world we’re living in.
Most things you stated are correct but I'm a little confused as I haven't seen or heard of white supremacist. Where are they as I haven't heard anything in the news
 
There is just no respect for these poor women. What a horrible controlled life they lead and l suppose they wouldn't dare to teach their children more respect towards women so it just goes on. l wonder what these children think about their mothers?
These twins should have been kicked out of the school that is unacceptable .
Send them back where they came from jail is too good for them.
That's exactly what I said. It makes me wonder if this is how it is in our public school what goes on in a Moslem school
 
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I have posted this statement before ! People come to this country for a better life .because of the terrible way they are being treated in their own country. WHY as soon as they set foot on our soil do they want to dress in the hijab ,niqab,clothing ,speak their own language ,fly their flags etc . VERY big % get government handouts housing etc on arrival . Something not given in the place they came from NOW if I go to their country because I’m fed up with Aussie way of life and I walk down the street dressed in my short s🩳 skimpy T shirt ,well that’s how we dress in Queensland I would be thrown in jail or shot, Deported dead or alive NO my idea is YOUcome here you speak our language YOU dress the same as us YOU obey our rules .
What you do inside your own house I couldn’t care less .Practice your own religion ,speak your own language ,Get a job so we don’t have to support you on centrelink
 
I have posted this statement before ! People come to this country for a better life .because of the terrible way they are being treated in their own country. WHY as soon as they set foot on our soil do they want to dress in the hijab ,niqab,clothing ,speak their own language ,fly their flags etc . VERY big % get government handouts housing etc on arrival . Something not given in the place they came from NOW if I go to their country because I’m fed up with Aussie way of life and I walk down the street dressed in my short s🩳 skimpy T shirt ,well that’s how we dress in Queensland I would be thrown in jail or shot, Deported dead or alive NO my idea is YOUcome here you speak our language YOU dress the same as us YOU obey our rules .
What you do inside your own house I couldn’t care less .Practice your own religion ,speak your own language ,Get a job so we don’t have to support you on centrelink
100% true. I aggre with absolutely everything you just said. Imagine if they abided by our way of life how peaceful and respectful our society would be.
 
No trust is afforded to ANY of these germs.

I have an Afghan mate who has proudly denounced anything Muslim, eats pork products and drinks alcohol. His community has condemned him.

I have another mate who was born in Gaza who did the same thing. But we DON'T mention anything about the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Both of these people are proud to embrace the Australian way of life. Why can't the other 100000s of other Muslims do the same thing.
I am truly sorry for your misfortune that you suffered and the scars you bear as a continuous reminder, at the hands of criminals who used religion as an excuse, and I too have a friend in Sydney who I refer to as a lapsed Muslim because she too enjoys wine and pork.
I think we have fallen off the wagon, the rent-a-crowds that turn up for these protests and sit ins are anything but true believers of anything but the dollars they are getting paid and the likes they get online. And also it is the Shari Law fanatics that are the ones who need to be reminded that they came here to get away from all that.
I asked my husband once where exactly is Palestine? He said it no longer exists because like all things in the middle east over the years one ruler slays another and land changes hands and that's it. Then Pommies and the UN get involved and someone says oh you can now live here, is it called Palestine, no it's called the Gaza. He also told me that Jordan once took 25,000 Palestinians, because they had nowhere to go and they tried to stage a Coup d'état and the King order them all to be executed. Why do you think no other country in the middle east will accept these poor hard done by innocent souls. Most of them, in fact the majority of them are Muslim.
 

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