Following the horrific terror attack that unfolded at Bondi Beach in December 2025, the Tasmanian Government is taking strong action to crack down on antisemitism, support for terrorist organisations and protect places of worship.
Consultation is now open on the draft Justice Miscellaneous (Prohibited Symbols and Protection of Worship) Bill 2026 which will:
Attorney-General, Guy Barnett, said displaying symbols associated with terrorist organisations is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in Tasmania.
“The Bondi terror attacks were motivated by evil, antisemitic ideology that has no place in our society,” the Attorney-General said.
“Our Government has consistently said that legislative responses must be targeted towards preventing antisemitism and support for terrorist ideology, along with the Commonwealth urgently addressing intelligence and information-sharing failings.
“There is no excuse for spreading hate and fear within our community, and our Government is taking strong action to prohibit the display of symbols associated with terrorists and hate-motivated groups.
“No Tasmanian should fear attending a place of worship or be confronted by the display of terrorist symbols.
“Places of worship should always be places of sanctuary, community and peace.”
The legislation will cover the symbols of groups proscribed by the Australian Government as terrorist organisations and registered hate groups – currently Hizb ut-Tahrir and White Australia.
To enhance the protections for people gathering at places of worship and for religious assembly, new offences will be created in the Police Offences Act to prevent a person from disturbing, harassing, threatening, hindering, obstructing or intimidating at these places.
New offences will also be created to specifically criminalise damage to a place of worship, recognising it is often done in hate and the impact this has on the community.
“This legislation will also enhance protections for people to practise their religion and attend places of worship free from fear and free from harm,” the Attorney-General said.
“This work builds on our Government’s nation-leading reforms to prohibit the display of Nazi symbols and the use of Nazi salutes in 2023.”
The draft Bill can be found at https://www.justice.tas.gov.au/community-consultation, with consultation open until Friday 17 July.
