NSW Labor to address racism and extremism with a budget of $16m
A Minns Labor Government will establish a Premier’s Prevention Panel on Racism and Extremism to address the growing safety concerns of faith and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities in NSW.
The Panel will include senior representatives of NSW agencies working with CALD and faith leaders to identify issues and to develop whole-of-government responses.
Government agencies represented on the Panel will include the NSW Police Force, Multicultural NSW, NSW Health, Department of Education, Communities and Justice, Local Government and Family and Community Services.
The Panel will consider racism and extremism at all levels – from preventing hate crimes through to tackling racial and religious bullying in schools.
Chris Minns
Antisemitism is on the rise with a 38 per cent increase since 2020, leading to the highest number of incidents on record. There were also numerous examples of Chinese Australians being racially abused during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The latest Islamophobia in Australia Report found racist incidents increased after the Christchurch terror attacks in 2019. Women and children are often targeted with 85 per cent of female victims wearing a hijab.
In addition to the new Panel, NSW Labor has announced:
- $16 million in funding for faith organisations to improve safety and security at religious institutions including places of worship, schools, community centres, and buildings
- Making religious vilification unlawful by amending the Anti-Discrimination Act within 100 days of taking office.
NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns said: “NSW needs a comprehensive approach so we can respond to hate crimes when they occur and help prevent them in the first place.
The roots of racism and extremism begin long before it manifests itself into acts of violence and destruction, and Labor’s policy will tackle the issue at the source.
Everyone deserves to be treated with tolerance and respect, no matter your faith, where you come from, or how you look.”
Steve Kamper, Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, added: “We are witnessing an increase in the number of race and religious-based instances of vilification, racism and violence and Labor will help the community address the issue.”
President of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies David Ossip told J-Wire: We welcome NSW Labor’s commitment to combating racism and extremism in NSW.”
Antisemitic and other faith-based hate incidents are at the highest levels NSW has ever seen. Unfortunately, not only are the threats against our communities increasing, but also the costs of protecting them, so we welcome NSW Labor’s bipartisan support for security funding.”
Fighting hate is everyone’s responsibility and requires a whole-of-government response to combat this scourge.”
