NSW councils to be given powers to shut down ‘factories of hate’ as Minns targets unlawful places of worship | New South Wales
The Minns Labor government plans to give New South Wales councils stronger powers to close illegal places of worship as part of a crackdown on “hate factories” following the Bondi terror attack last month.
The new laws announced Monday aim to clarify the authority to close facilities and, in addition to imposing larger fines, would also impose the authority to cut off utilities to facilities that continue to operate in violation of the closure order.
Councils will be required to consult with NSW police before approving any religious building, and fines for operating without a planning permit will increase from $11,000 to $110,000 per person. Fines for companies will increase from $22,000 to $220,000.
Last month, the City of Canterbury’s Bankstown council moved to close an “illegal” Islamic place of worship linked to controversial cleric Wisam Haddad, who has come under renewed scrutiny since the Bondi massacre.
In a statement made by the council, a review of records dating back to 1970 revealed that the center was never approved to operate as a place of worship and was recently approved to operate as a medical centre.
Media reports claimed that Naveed Akram, the alleged Bondi beach gunman, was a follower of the Dawah preaching movement led by Haddad.
But Haddad’s lawyer said he “vehemently denies any knowledge of or involvement in the Bondi beach shootings.”
Minns insisted new powers were needed to deal with hate speech preached behind closed doors, but also said councils did not need to be arbiters of hate speech.
“The aim of this reform is to shut down ‘hate factories’ that operate unlawfully by promoting hatred, intimidation or separatism within society,” he said.
“These reforms give councils real powers to take action where premises are operating illegally and spreading division.
“This is about protecting social cohesion, keeping communities safe and promoting the values that unite us as Australians.”
The Prime Minister denied that the new laws could affect prayer meetings held in people’s homes or in a study or Bible group.
“That wouldn’t apply,” he said.
Rather, he said the new laws were intended to send a clear message that councils, federal and state governments did not condone hate speech in society by allowing illegal places of worship to remain open.
“We have to read that they’re trying to divide our community and try to plant hatred in someone’s heart, and we have to confront it where we see it,” he said.
Although councils will now be required to consult with NSW police on “community safety matters” before granting planning permission for a religious building, Minns insisted police would not have veto power over whether a new religious building would be approved.
Civil liberties organizations have expressed concerns about the reforms’ potential to infringe on religious freedom.
NSW Civil Liberties Council President Timothy Roberts said the council was “very concerned about councils being given the power to make decisions that infringe on freedom of expression”.
“Councils already have a lot of work to do,” he said. “They are not 100% equipped for this role and it will depend on community members informing each other. Where will this end?”.
Acting opposition leader Natalie Ward accused the prime minister of “chasing a headline” and failing to offer a comprehensive solution to the wave of antisemitism that has been evident in Australia for two years.
He said the government had refused to support opposition amendments to the latest hate speech laws passed before Christmas.
Minns on Monday also heralded more legal measures to deal with hate speech in the near future.
Submissions to a NSW parliamentary inquiry examining the ban of slogans likely to incite hatred close on Monday.
There will be no public hearings prior to committee reports until January 31.
