‘Hateful’ chants and flags to be banned as Islamic State claims it ‘inspired’ Bondi attack

A protest chant, terrorist organisations’ flags and other “hateful” symbols and slogans will be criminalised in NSW under laws to be introduced to parliament this week, as Islamic State claims it “inspired” last weekend’s Bondi massacre.

Announcing the legislation on Saturday, Premier Chris Minns said the legislation would outlaw the public display of symbols associated with banned terrorist organisations in the state. These include Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabab, Hamas, Boko Haram, Hezbollah, Islamic State and Nazi groups.

“Things are going to change … There’s a difference between before Sunday and after Sunday. This is a threat to every citizen of NSW,” Minns said.

An Islamic State flag was allegedly displayed on the car of the two men accused of killing 15 people in last weekend’s Bondi Beach terrorism attack.

The legislation will ban only the public display of these symbols. Possessing them will not be illegal.

While Commonwealth legislation already prohibits terrorist symbol displays, Minns said the state legislation would be simpler to prosecute.

Victoria University terrorism and security expert Dr Andrew Zammit said Islamic State had claimed in its weekly publication that it “inspired” the Bondi massacre as it continued to call for ongoing attacks on civilian and religious targets.

“Since October 7, we’ve had around 20 Islamic State-associated terrorist attacks in Europe and dozens of plots. This is much [higher] than the couple of years before that, and a larger proportion of those attacks have targeted Jewish communities,” Zammit said.

“Islamic State, and to a lesser extent al-Qaeda, ramped up its calls for attacks within Western countries, and with a particular focus on targeting Jewish communities … [Publications] specifically mentioned synagogues and churches,” he said.

“The Islamic State’s global terrorism campaign never quite went away.”

The pro-Palestine chant “globalise the intifada” would also be banned under NSW’s new laws. The slogan refers to a Palestinian resistance against Israel. Intifada is an Arabic word for rebellion, uprising, resistance or shaking off.

“Horrific recent events have shown that [this chant] is hate speech, and it encourages violence in our community,” Minns said.

“We’ve got strong advice indicating that [it] is already in breach of hate speech laws in NSW; this legislation will put it beyond a shadow of a doubt.”

In a statement, the Palestine Action Group, which organises weekly pro-Palestine protests in the Sydney CBD, said any labelling of the word intifada as hate speech was “ridiculous, ignorant and offensive”.

“[It] refers to the efforts of Palestinians through mass protests and uprisings to shake off the illegal occupation and apartheid racist policies that the state of Israel imposes on the Palestinian people,” the statement read.

“There is absolutely nothing antisemitic about this word or associated chants.”

Attorney-General Michael Daley said NSW must “tackle” the “scourge” of hate.

“We’re dealing with the offences that cause division, that cause hatred, that cause effrontery,” Daley said.

“The displaying of these symbols can only be done by someone who’s either deranged or has an intention to insult, intimidate and scare.”

Police will also be given new powers to require someone suspected of committing an offence during a public assembly to remove their face covering. At present, police can require a person to remove their face covering only if they are arrested or suspected of committing an indictable offence.

The legislation will be introduced to parliament on Monday, alongside gun law reform announced earlier this week. The offence will carry a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, or a $22,000 fine, and up to $110,000 for organisations. Displays for academic or public interest purposes may be exempt.

An investigation into hateful statements may recommend that further slogans be introduced into the bill when parliament resumes next year.

NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane said the opposition would consider the proposals and legislation once provided by the government.

“The opposition will continue to engage constructively and to put forward practical, proportionate policies to strengthen community safety, reinforce social cohesion and uphold confidence in the rule of law across NSW,” she said.

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