New Laws Aim to Stamp Out Antisemitism and Protect Places of Worship

The Crisafulli Government has announced a sweeping package of legislative reforms aimed at combating antisemitism, curbing terrorist symbolism and strengthening protections around places of worship across Queensland.

The proposed laws, to be introduced in State Parliament this week, are described as strong and decisive measures to ensure Queenslanders can live, worship and gather safely. The reforms form part of a broader safety agenda in the wake of the Bondi beach terrorist attack and respond to growing concerns about antisemitism and extremist behaviour, particularly impacting the Jewish community.

Premier David Crisafulli said the legislation delivers the strongest possible protections to address rising threats.

“We called this out from the beginning, we said we’d act, and through this legislation, we are delivering a strong and considered response,” Premier 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. The Jewish community has been clear: Queensland needs stronger legislation backed by real enforcement to drive out antisemitism, and that is exactly what we are delivering.”

The Bill introduces tougher penalties for offences targeting religious communities. It increases the maximum penalty for assaulting or threatening a person officiating a religious ceremony from two to five years’ imprisonment, creates new offences for impeding or harassing people attending religious services with penalties of up to three years, and establishes a new special case of wilful damage for harm to a place of worship carrying a maximum sentence of seven years.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said the Government was standing firmly with the Jewish community in both words and action.

“We are bolstering protections for the Jewish community, so they know that this Government is doing everything possible to stop the rise of antisemitism,” the Attorney-General said.

“This Bill represents a focused and practical step forward for Queensland. It introduces targeted reforms to ban terrorist symbols and phrases and improve safety around places of worship. Together, these changes reinforce our commitment to protecting communities and ensuring Queensland remains a safe, inclusive state for everyone.”

The legislation also strengthens existing laws around terrorist imagery and slogans. Penalties for displaying terrorist symbols will increase from six months to two years’ imprisonment, and prohibitions will be extended to cover symbols associated with terrorist organisations or state sponsors of terrorism, including the Hamas flag and emblem, the Islamic State flag, the Hizballah emblem and Nazi symbols.

In addition, the Bill proposes a new offence banning the public distribution, publication, display or recitation of prescribed phrases — including “globalise the intifada” and “from the river to the sea” — where done to cause menace, harassment or offence. A maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment would apply.

President of the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies, Jason Steinberg, said the reforms would help restore confidence in the community.

“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.

“Our community greatly appreciates the commitment by the Crisafulli Government to ensure Jewish Queenslanders can live, work and play just like any other Queenslander. This Bill moves beyond words and delivers real, practical protections for our community and for all people targeted by hate.

“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.”

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