New antisemitism-focused hate speech laws will be introduced to Queensland Parliament this week.
Qld Premier David Crisafulli has promised the legislation will crack down on slogans and symbols associated with terrorism.
Crisafulli said the laws are aimed at “bolstering safety around places of worship,” and “stamping out” hatred in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.
Qld’s Labor opposition said it will “closely examine” the proposal, while the Greens criticised the reforms as “kneejerk authoritarianism”.
Context
On 14 December, two gunmen opened fire at a Jewish community event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing 15 people and injuring many more.
In the wake of this terrorist attack, the Federal Government passed new hate speech legislation.
Under the bill, a person found guilty of committing a hate crime as part of their role as a religious or spiritual leader faces up to 12 years in prison.
A non-citizen associated with a terrorist or hate group can also have their visa cancelled or refused.
Qld laws
Over the weekend, the Qld Liberal-National Government announced its own changes to hate speech laws.
A joint statement from Premier Crisafulli and Qld Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the reforms will address intimidation at places of worship and restrict terrorist slogans and symbols.
The bill will ban Nazi, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic State emblems/flags, and increase penalties for displaying terrorist symbols from 6 months to 2 years’ imprisonment.
A new offence would prohibit slogans used by some pro-Palestine activists.
Queensland is the second state to examine further hate speech measures in response to the Bondi terror attack, after a bipartisan committee of NSW MPs filed a report in January recommending certain law changes.
However, it is the first to put forward a bill. The NSW Government has not yet released draft legislation on hate speech, but has stated its intention to do so.
In the Queensland bill, two phrases are specified: “globalise the intifada” and “from the river to the sea”.
“Globalise the Intifada”:
Intifada is the Arabic word for “uprising”. In the NSW report, the committee said “the term intifada cannot be separated from its history of violence against Jewish people” and “inspires violence”.
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However, the committee noted that it had received multiple submissions from stakeholders who argued the phrase was “commonly understood as a call for peaceful global solidarity and/or opposition to Israel’s violations of international law“.
“From the river to the sea”:
This phrase refers to the Jordan River on Israel’s eastern border, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west.
The NSW committee did not recommend banning it, determining it didn't meet the same threshold as "globalise theintifada".
According to the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy, the phrase "effectively calls for ethnic cleansing of Jews".
According to the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, it is "a demand for democratic coexistence between Jews and Arabs".
Both slogans have been outlawed in some cities overseas.
For example, in 2024, the German Government declared “from the river to the sea” was a “Hamas slogan” and using it could be considered a punishable offence.
In December, Police in London and Greater Manchester announced “globalise the intifada” was banned at protests, relying on existing hate speech and public order powers designed to target racially-aggravated hate speech.
Shortly after, two men in the UK were arrested for chanting the slogan at a protest.
Comments
Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies President Jason Steinberg said the bill 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.”
Frecklington called the changes a “focused and practical step forward” for the state.
Qld’s Liberal-National Government has a majority in the state’s one-house of Parliament, meaning it does not require support from other parties to pass legislation.
Opposition
Shadow Multicultural Minister Charis Mullen said he’s “pleased” the Government consulted with Jewish leaders on the bill. However, he noted several “key multicultural organisations... should be afforded that opportunity as well.”
Qld Greens MP Michael Berkman criticised the proposal. “You can’t legislate away hatred or discrimination,” he said.
“The best tool against extremists, racists and bigots is a strong, diverse community that looks after its people, especially the most vulnerable.”
