Laws aimed at stamping out antisemitism and terrorist extremism will be introduced to the Queensland Parliament this week.
The legislation will focus on terrorist symbols and phrases, and safety around places of worship.
Premier David Crisafulli said the reforms delivered the “strongest possible protections” to address the growing threats faced by the community.
“We called this out from the beginning, we said we’d act, and through this legislation, we are delivering a strong and considered response,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“This is about drawing a clear line – and stamping out the embers of hatred that were allowed to burn unchecked for too long – to ensure we protect Queenslanders.”
To address intimidation at places of worship, the Bill:
- Increases penalties for assaulting or threatening a person officiating a religious ceremony from two to five years’ imprisonment
- Introduces new offences for impeding or harassing people attending religious services (maximum three years’ imprisonment)
- Creates a new special case of wilful damage for damage to a place of worship, with a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment
The Bill introduces tougher measures to curb terrorist symbols, including:
- Increasing penalties for displaying terrorist symbols from six months to two years’ imprisonment
- Extending the existing prohibition on the display of symbols to include terrorist organisations or state sponsors of terrorism, including:
- the Hamas flag and emblem, the Islamic State flag, the Hizballah emblem and Nazi symbols
To restrict terrorist slogans, the Bill:
- Proposes a new offence prohibiting the public distribution, publication, public display or public recitation of a prescribed phrase to cause menace, harassment or offence, applicable to:
- “globalise the intifada”
- “from the river to the sea”
Distributing, publishing, displaying or reciting a prohibited phrase imposes a two-year maximum penalty.
Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies president Jason Steinberg, in a statement released by the Premier, said the reforms would make the Jewish community feel safer, more protected and confident about living our lives openly.
“For the past two and a half years, the Jewish community has endured unprecedented levels of hate, intimidation and fear and the reforms send a clear message that antisemitism and hate have no place in Queensland,” Mr Steinberg said.
“This is not only a welcome and necessary step for Jewish people, it is vital for rebuilding the confidence we have lost as hatred has run rampant.”
