The NSW Premier has today flagged upcoming changes to legislation in order to protect the LGBTQIA+ community following a report by the ABC.
An ABC investigation found a surge in violence against gay and bisexual young people in Sydney at the hands of a resurgent IS terrorist network in the two years before the Bondi attack.
When asked about the investigation today, Premier Chris Minns said the reports by the ABC had shocked him.
“They are absolutely shocking examples of violent crimes in our community directed against individuals because of their sexuality,” he said.
“I’ve spoken to the Cabinet Office and the Attorney General’s Department today about looking at changes to the law to put in massive new penalties specifically to target this abhorrent behaviour.”
Minns said he wanted to ensure the DPP and the police had the resources to make sure anyone charged with these crimes would face stricter penalties.
“We will not allow a situation in NSW where people are being targeted because of their sexuality by somebody else,” he said.
“If someone is convicted of a crime like that they (the DPP) can throw the book at them and they are subjected to a significant jail penalty.”
Minns said the targeting of gay people was a “shocking throwback” to a dark period in Sydney’s history, one he would not allow to re-emerge.
“It will not be tolerated in 2026 and we will be looking at urgent legislation soon to target this shocking new crime.”
The legislation at this stage is unknown, but urgent action is needed, said Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich.
“The ABC reporting, and the experiences of far too many LGBTQ people in NSW, demand urgent action and tougher penalties,” he told Gay Sydney Daily.
“We also need to make sure victims are supported and empowered to report and seek justice, and I reaffirm my calls for a properly funded LGBTQ Legal Service as proposed by the Inner City Legal Centre.”
Another issue flagged by the ABC report was that LGBTQIA+ Australians remain among the most likely targets of violent extremists.
“We take all of those threats seriously. I think we are just about into the Mardi Gras season and we are working closely with organisers,” said Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon.
“We will have a significant response present to make sure that those who wish to participate in Mardi Gras can do so safely and can feel safe.”
