NSW Government Looks to Tighten Hate Speech Law Following Pro-Palestinian Protests

‘You can protest, but you can’t take it so far that you’re advocating for violence or hatred on city streets,’ said the NSW Premier.

Protesters prepare Palestinian flags at the start of a rally in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 9, 2023. David Gray/AFP via Getty Images

The New South Wales (NSW) government is considering an overhaul of the state’s hate speech laws following clashes over the Israel-Hamas war in the community.

The move was a response to a pro-Palestinian protest in front of the Sydney Opera House in early October, which sparked criticism that the current laws prohibiting religious and racial vilification didn’t fit for purpose.