The Queensland Government will introduce legislation this week aimed at strengthening protections against antisemitism, tightening penalties linked to extremist symbols and improving safety around places of worship, framing the package as a response to rising community concern and recent acts of violence.
The reforms, to be brought before Parliament by the Crisafulli Government, focus on tougher penalties for intimidation and violence at religious sites, expanded bans on terrorist symbols and new offences targeting the public use of prescribed extremist phrases. The government says the measures are intended to ensure Queenslanders can live, worship and gather safely.
Premier David Crisafulli said the legislation reflected a clear commitment to act.
“We called this out from the beginning, we said we’d act, and through this legislation, we are delivering a strong and considered response,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“This is about drawing a clear line – and stamping out the embers of hatred that were allowed to burn unchecked for too long – to ensure we protect Queenslanders.
“The Jewish community has been clear: Queensland needs stronger legislation backed by real enforcement to drive out antisemitism, and that is exactly what we are delivering.”
Under the proposed changes, penalties for assaulting or threatening a person officiating a religious ceremony would increase from two to five years’ imprisonment. New offences would be created for harassing or impeding people attending religious services, carrying penalties of up to three years. Damage to a place of worship would become a special category of offence, with a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment.
The bill also expands restrictions on extremist symbolism. Penalties for displaying terrorist symbols would rise from six months to two years’ imprisonment, with explicit inclusion of symbols linked to organisations or state sponsors of terrorism, including the Hamas flag and emblem, the Islamic State flag, the Hizballah emblem and Nazi symbols.
In addition, the legislation proposes a new offence banning the public distribution, publication, display or recitation of prescribed phrases when done to cause menace, harassment or offence. The phrases listed include “globalise the intifada” and “from the river to the sea”, with breaches carrying a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said the government was backing its words with action.
“We are bolstering protections for the Jewish community, so they know that this Government is doing everything possible to stop the rise of antisemitism,” the Attorney-General said.
Under the proposed changes, penalties for assaulting or threatening a person officiating a religious ceremony would increase from two to five years’ imprisonment. New offences would be created for harassing or impeding people attending religious services, carrying penalties of up to three years. Damage to a place of worship would become a special category of offence, with a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment
“This Bill represents a focused and practical step forward for Queensland. It introduces targeted reforms to ban terrorist symbols and phrases and improve safety around places of worship.
“Together, these changes reinforce our commitment to protecting communities and ensuring Queensland remains a safe, inclusive state for everyone.”
The Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies has welcomed the proposed laws, describing them as a response to what it says has been a sustained period of hostility and fear.
“For the past two and a half years, the Jewish community has endured unprecedented levels of hate, intimidation and fear and the reforms send a clear message that antisemitism and hate have no place in Queensland,” president Jason Steinberg said.
“Our community greatly appreciates the commitment by the Crisafulli Government to ensure Jewish Queenslanders can live, work and play just like any other Queenslander. This Bill moves beyond words and delivers real, practical protections for our community and for all people targeted by hate.
“This 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.”
The government has linked the timing of the legislation to broader security concerns following the Bondi attack, describing the reforms as the first of several measures aimed at addressing extremist threats and public safety.
Labor has indicated tentative support for efforts to address antisemitism and racism but has raised concerns about process. Shadow Multicultural Affairs Minister Charis Mullen has said the proposals warrant close examination, pointing to what Labor sees as limited consultation beyond key Jewish organisations and flagging the need for broader engagement with multicultural groups.
Civil liberties advocates and some commentators have also raised questions about free speech and political expression, particularly around the proposed ban on certain phrases. Critics argue that context and intent will be critical, warning that poorly defined thresholds could invite legal challenge or chill legitimate protest. Others, including dissenting Jewish voices, have questioned whether the approach risks deepening divisions rather than easing them.
The Crisafulli Government has maintained that the legislation is tightly framed around conduct intended to menace or harass, and that it targets extremist intimidation rather than political debate. Ministers say enforcement will be central to ensuring the laws strike the right balance between safety and rights.
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