Mr GREG WARREN (Campbelltown) (15:38): Normally in this place I say that I am delighted to make a brief contribution, but on this occasion I am not delighted, because I would prefer that the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Racial and Religious Hatred) Bill 2025 was not before us today. But let me be very clear: This legislation is before us today because of the atrocious behaviour of an overwhelming minority of people in the community. I love my country. I love New South Wales. I love Campbelltown and my home. The things I love about it most are our people, culture and nature.
Generations have fought on foreign shores to preserve and conserve the values and principles that embody us as Australians. The actions of a few individuals are not consistent with those of the good people of our country. I am disgusted with some of the footage in the media of these grossly inappropriate acts, which will soon be—rightfully—criminal acts. It is unfortunate that this legislation is before us, but it is necessary. I note that the Opposition will put forward amendments, and I look forward to those amendments being substantiated during the debate. I am sure the Attorney General is also following with interest.
I reflect on the very tragic circumstances which erupted in Gaza. Ultimately a lot of this began in relation to a foreign conflict over which we have no control. I was speaking to ABC Radio in my electorate about the importance of urban planning and development for the preservation of koalas and, at the end of the interview, the journalist asked for my view on Gaza. I said, "I believe it is tragic. I stand against and oppose all forms of oppression and aggression. I will be focusing my energy on those who I am privileged to serve who are touched by this." Many of those people live in Campbelltown and came to Australia to escape that kind of tyranny. That is why they are proud Australians and they call Australia home, and we welcome them.
Our service men and women have fought in all sorts of theatres with pride and dignity. The reputation of Australian service personnel is beyond reproach. They are happy to fight for the freedoms which we enjoy today. One of these freedoms is welcoming new people to our country, where they assimilate and become Australians. The behaviour and conduct that we have seen on the streets around Australia and here in our home, Sydney, is grossly inconsistent with that fact. I commend the Premier for his steadfast and solid position on this, and not just because I am a member of the Government.
I also commend the Attorney General, all of his staff and the departmental staff who have worked to bring this important piece of legislation to the House. The purpose of the bill is ultimately to amend the Crimes Act 1900 in relation to offences about the display of Nazi symbols and Nazi symbol graffiti; the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 to clarify the application of an aggravating factor relating to hatred or prejudice; and the Graffiti Control Act 2008 regarding a new circumstance of aggravation relating to graffiti on places of worship. These are things which have no place in the civilised society we enjoy in Australia. The bill is part of a suite of reforms the Government is progressing to address recent antisemitic conduct in the community, antisemitic graffiti and graffiti involving the posting of Nazi symbols on places including synagogues and Jewish schools. It provides a more detailed criminal law response to recent antisemitic conduct and clarifies existing legislation.
It will also allow higher sentences to be imposed for offences relating to the public display of Nazi symbols on or near synagogues, Jewish schools and the Sydney Jewish Museum, and for defacing places of worship. It will ensure that general conduct motivated partially by hatred or prejudice is considered aggravated on sentence by that fact. The definition of a "public act" and the "display of Nazi symbols" is a very important piece of this legislation. Section 93Z of the Crimes Act 1900 provides that a person who "by a public act, intentionally or recklessly threatens or incites violence towards another person or a group of persons" based on a protected attribute is guilty of an offence. Section 93Z (5) of the Crimes Act 1900 defines a "public act" to include:
(a)any form of communication (including speaking, writing, displaying notices, playing of recorded material, broadcasting and communicating through social media and other electronic methods) to the public, and—
I will very briefly come back to social media during my contribution to this debate—
(b)any conduct (including actions and gestures and the wearing or display of clothing, signs, flags, emblems and insignia) observable by the public, and
(c)the distribution or dissemination of any matter to the public.
Coming back to the topic of social media, one thing I find interesting is keyboard warriors. Most members presumably have social media pages, except for the member for Lane Cove, because he does not know how to type.
Mr Anthony Roberts: I've got someone for that!
Mr GREG WARREN: The days when you could get on social media and write whatever you like are gone. It is very important to have a specific reference in this piece of legislation, because it is too easy for some of these Neanderthals to pull out their iPhones and slander or defame someone. Those days are gone, and so they should be. Under this bill, that type of bullying and harassment would also be a crime when it relates to all the things referenced in the bill. When I turn on my television at night, I find it deeply offensive when I see people who are clearly unhappy with something in our society, in our community or in Australia more broadly. No-one is being forced to stay if they think it is that bad, whether they were born here or not. If it is at the level where you do not like something or someone so much, including the very home in which you live, no-one has got you chained here. There are options other than hurting the very people who enjoy a good and common society and good community.
As I draw to the close of my contribution, I acknowledge the NSW Police Force and our frontline workers who have been working diligently in response to these matters. We would simply be less safe without them. I want to make specific reference to our Jewish community, some of whom I met with when they came to Parliament last week. They have been bearing the brunt of this. I am opposed to the kind of conduct they have faced, no matter which group or body in our community it is focused on. In this particular circumstance it is being focused on the Jewish community. I also acknowledge the community members and groups of other religious faiths who have been targeted. I stand against this behaviour, whether you are Jewish, Catholic, Anglican or in the faith of Islam. We are a good, free and democratic society that was built by generations of service. Do not offend them; do not ruin our community. This must stop. It will not be tolerated, and that is why this legislation is before the House today.
