Name: New laws allows NSW government to shut down unlawful prayer halls
Uploaded: 2026-01-12T06:10:48.584Z
Duration: 1 min 56 s
Description: The New South Wales government has introduced new hate speech laws granting councils greater authority to shut down utilities and increase fines for hate speech violations.

The New South Wales government has introduced new hate speech laws granting councils greater authority to shut down utilities and increase fines for hate speech violations.

Council of the City of Sydney

The New South Wales government has enacted new legislation to empower local councils with the ability to shut down utilities, such as water and electricity, in venues suspected of promoting hate speech. The move also includes a substantial increase in fines, raising penalties for individuals from $11,000 to $110,000 and for corporations from $22,000 to $220,000.

The policy has received mixed reactions from local councils, with some supporting the enhanced powers and others expressing concern over the additional responsibilities placed on councils. Critics argue that these measures may not effectively combat terrorism and could push illegal activities underground. The changes follow dissatisfaction with previous penalties imposed in high-profile cases involving hate speech.

New laws allows NSW government to shut down unlawful prayer halls

Turning the tap off on hate speech, new laws to literally turn off the lights. The New South Wales Government will make it easier for councils to seek approval to shut down utilities. Giving councils more powers to crack down on unlawful prayer halls. To shut down before they can preach hate, before they can put hate in people's hearts. Giving our local government, our local councils, the teeth that they need to stop hate spewing on in our neighbourhoods. The Premier unhappy with the penalties available to Canterbury Bankstown Council when it shut down a prayer hall linked to a notorious preacher. In effect only a nominal fine applied. As for the fines, well they go through the roof. From $11,000 to $110,000 for individuals. And from $22,000 to $220,000 for corporations. Our concern is that councils are being given an additional burden to deal with hate speech when they're simply not equipped to do so. Councils deal with rates, rubbish, stray dogs and apparently now terrorism. Some councils applauded the Government. Working with councils on ensuring that they're giving us more powers to act against, you know, people that are preaching hate. Others panned it. This policy is ridiculous. By allowing councils to turn off the tap, the water, to a place of worship, that's not going to stop terrorism, that's just going to push terrorism in someone's backyard. The hate speech crackdown sparking a war of words. I've seen some other mayors on television this morning, one from Fairfield in particular. I mean that guy's always on TV whinging about something. If Chris Means wants to shut the water, he runs Sydney Water. Sydney Water is a state government agency. I mean sometimes I feel like we can't win. We either give them the powers that they need to enforce their own regulations or we take it off them. Either way we can expect an angry media release from Frank Carbone. Ali Donaldson, 10 News.

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