Queensland Premier David Crisafulli says new laws targeting antisemitism and access to weapons by terrorists and criminals would be introduced to state parliament next week, following a visit to the Sunshine Coast to meet with local Jewish leaders.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Crisafulli said members of the Jewish community told him they were feeling “uncertain” and “apprehensive”, with some children questioning their safety at school.
“They’re looking over their shoulder,” he said.
“In a modern state like Queensland, we owe it to that community to send a message that they are valued and respected members of our society.”
The Premier said the visit formed part of broader engagement with Jewish communities across the state, including meetings in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, but he wanted to ensure the smaller Sunshine Coast community also felt heard.
“Your community here is smaller, but that doesn’t make them less important,” he said.
Mr Crisafulli confirmed legislation would focus on two key areas: combating antisemitism and strengthening powers to remove firearms from people considered a risk, including those with terrorist links or planning attacks.
“If you’re planning a terrorist attack, you are a terrorist and you need to be dealt with,” he said.
“Those who shouldn’t have guns should have zero.”
The proposed laws will also target the manufacture of 3D-printed firearms and address drive-by shootings, while increasing protections around places of worship.
Mr Crisafulli said the bill would specifically outlaw certain slogans and symbols used to incite hatred toward Jewish people, describing them as “not about education, but elimination”.
“We have named the offences, and that should tell you how serious we are,” he said.
Scroll down to SUBSCRIBE for our FREE news feed, direct to your inbox daily.
The Premier said police would be given additional tools to enforce the laws, and he expressed confidence in the ability of the Queensland Police Service to apply them appropriately.
“Police have to police the law of the day, and they will be able to target those people who are inciting violence,” he said.
During the visit, Mr Crisafulli also heard accounts of anti-Jewish graffiti, posters being placed near schools, and families feeling reluctant to openly discuss their faith.
“I don’t want kids telling their parents they don’t want people to know what their faith is,” he said.
“Whoever you are and whatever your faith is, you should be able to go to your place of worship and feel safe.”
The Premier said the legislation was partly a response to recent violent incidents interstate that had shocked communities across Australia, and he pledged Queensland would deliver one of the strongest responses in the country.
“We said we would take action in a calm and diligent way, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” he said.
The bill is expected to be introduced when parliament next sits.
