A legal challenge has been initiated against the disputed New South Wales laws targeting antisemitism and granting the police broad powers to control protests close to religious sites. The Palestine Action Group launched this challenge in the NSW Supreme Court, arguing that these laws unconstitutionally restrict the implied Commonwealth constitutional freedom to communicate on matters of government or politics.
The challenge comes after a recent controversy among NSW parliamentarians after NSW police revealed a caravan loaded with explosives near Sydney and claimed that a series of antisemitic incidents were a “con job” by organized crime groups. These events were said to be aimed at distracting the police and influencing legal proceedings.
NSW Premier Chris Minns and the state police minister Yasmin Catley have been accused of withholding information about the true nature of the caravan plot from the public and Parliament, using it to justify the expedited push of the laws. Opposition parties and some Greens officials have demanded a parliamentary inquiry to uncover when the government became aware of the plot and its real nature.
Josh Lees, speaking for the Palestine Action Group, criticizes the government for passing laws based on “lies and deception”, arguing that these laws could severely limit where protests can take place in Sydney due to the proximity of places of worship. Lees asserts that the laws are unconstitutional and undemocratic.
Greens MP Kobi Shetty plans to introduce a bill to repeal the religious worship bill. Minns, however, claims the laws are “constitutionally sound”, and that the freedom to practice religion without intimidation or hate was the basis for introducing the legislation.
The laws, part of a broader legislative package to combat antisemitism, have sparked controversy over measures that could criminalize certain types of public speech and restrict protests near religious sites, both of which could lead to a maximum penalty of two years in prison.
Critics including the NSW Council for Civil Liberties label the laws “undemocratic” and call for a legislative inquiry into whether Parliament and the public were misled. The legal challenge is set to be heard in the Supreme Court on April 8.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/17/palestine-action-group-launch-legal-challenge-against-controversial-nsw-laws-restricting-protests-ntwnfb
