Mr GREG WARREN (Campbelltown) (15:19): I find myself in the unfortunate yet necessary position of having to speak in debate on the Crimes Amendment (Inciting Racial Hatred) Bill 2025, which is a disappointing reflection of behaviour we have seen in and around our communities related to the incitement of racial hatred. I think back to my inaugural speech after I was privileged to be elected to this place. I do not know where I plucked it from, but I remember making a commitment to the people of Campbelltown and, by extension, to the people of New South Wales, that I will represent them without fear or favour, and without prejudice. I am very fortunate to represent a diverse community. My electorate extends to the Cowpastures and has a multicultural community made up people of many faiths, including Catholics, Anglicans and those of Islamic faith. I enjoy a good relationship with them all because I have the privilege of serving them.

When I see on television acts that are a stain on our communities, it makes me sad. It makes me feel sick. We are better than that. Never before have I seen some of the horrific and horrible things that are taking place now. These are not just acts by a particular individual. They are premeditated actions that are motivated by hate. In this place, we know that love beats hate every time. I will choose to love and live harmoniously before I will ever engage with people who do things that are motivated by hate. Due to this piece of legislation, people who incite hate or use hate speech will be alleged criminals and find themselves subject to the law. That is a good thing. I draw attention to the contribution of the member for Sydney. I have always admired the member for Sydney. He is a man of conviction who never walks away from his own values and principles, and he makes those representations on behalf of his community. From our private conversations since I entered Parliament I know about some of the challenges he has had to confront over the years. I think that is a representation of what other colleagues in this place have experienced.

I saw a bewildering instance on television of a service station in Campbelltown that was graffitied. The act was totally unnecessary and absolutely motivated by a hate that I simply do not understand. I say to people who continue to incite hatred that such acts are no means to an end. They only create disharmony, devalue our society, and are inconsistent with the wonderful principles that we all embrace as Australians. We have always been a fair, equal and accepting community. Australia, New South Wales and indeed Campbelltown have displayed that over many generations. We have long welcomed people into our communities. I am sure my colleagues agree that one of our greatest joys as members is going to citizenship ceremonies and seeing the new Australians who have chosen Australia or, in my case, Campbelltown as their home. It is one of their happiest days, and seeing the look of pride on their faces really warms my heart. Those occasions represent the good nature of Australia.

Let us be clear that the overwhelming majority of people do not engage in these acts. We are privileged to represent accepting, good, harmonious communities where 99.9 per cent of people would never harm anyone else. They would rather do what Australians do best, and that is help out each other in times of need. It is important that we reflect on that as this legislation comes before the House. Yes, it is essential but it is not a holistic reflection of the wonderful Australian values and principles that we all value so dearly.

The bill is part of a suite of reforms that the Government is progressing to address racially motivated hate speech and antisemitic conduct that has been prevalent in the community. Racially motivated violence begins with hateful, racist language that may inspire an individual to commit a violent act. Racially motivated hate speech, and the violence it inspires, threatens the very fabric and the social cohesion of each of our communities. That is why I commend the Attorney General and the Premier for a robust criminal law response that is needed to enable police to prosecute people on behalf of the community who are charged with racially motivated hate speech, in addition to the existing conciliation and complaints mechanisms for racial vilification under the civil law.

Specifically, the new offence contained in the bill prohibits a person, by a public act, from intentionally inciting hatred towards another person or a group of persons on the ground of race. The definition of "race" is taken from the existing definition in section 93Z of the Crimes Act 1900 to include colour, nationality, descent and ethnic, ethno-religious or national origin. The offence has been drafted to include only race in direct response to the current issues in New South Wales. It aims to prevent hate-based conduct before it escalates into violence. The Government acknowledges that hate speech based on other attributes occurs and condemns it. As the member for Mount Druitt stated, this is not the end. The Government will take any and every step necessary to improve laws so that communities can be kept safe.

Generations of people have served and protected our community since before Federation. Those people who served domestically or abroad did so with the intention of protecting and building a harmonious society. That is something that we nurture as Australians, and nothing will deter us from protecting it. These actions by individuals will soon be a crime—and so they should be. They will not distract us good living people from getting on with our lives and doing what we do best: caring for and nurturing each other. I thank the House.