The NSW Labor Government committed to amending the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 to prohibit religious vilification within its first 100 days in office.
This Bill follows through on that commitment.
Multiculturalism Minister Steve Kamper says religious vilification is on the rise.
“This is unacceptable,” he said.
“Members of the Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh faiths have all raised concerns about the growing levels of intolerance.”
Catholic Maronite Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay said incidents of religious vilification were rising.
“I welcome moves by the State Government to outlaw religious vilification as a sign that religious believers should be treated with respect,” he said.
“However, prohibition of religious vilification is only a small step towards the changes needed to our anti-discrimination law.
“In NSW, religious discrimination is still legal despite numerous inquiries, state and federal, recommending this be remedied.
“I encourage the NSW Government to attend to this more pressing issue for people of faith as soon as possible.”
The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) considers the Minns Government’s promise to include protections against religious vilification long overdue.
“It is a positive step towards ensuring all groups, especially minority groups, are afforded necessary protections,” ANIC Advisor Ramia Abdo said.
“The Australian Muslim community has undoubtedly experienced a heightened level of hate, bigotry and discrimination particularly of Muslim females who are visibly Muslim through their wearing of the hijab.
“The rise in Islamophobia is something in which the community undoubtedly finds confronting, and is one of the reasons why the Muslim community through ANIC has advocated for this move.”
