Case Explained:This article breaks down the legal background, charges, and implications of Case Explained: What do Queensland’s new hate speech and firearms laws mean? – Proctor – Legal Perspective
Queensland Parliament has introduced wide-ranging changes to its hate crime and firearms laws, with the State Government positioning the reforms as part of a broader response to rising antisemitism and extremist motivated behaviour following the Bondi terror attack.
The Fighting Antisemitism and Keeping Guns out of the Hands of Terrorists and Criminals Amendment Bill 2026 passed State Parliament on 5 March and came into effect on 11 March. The laws tighten restrictions on symbols and expressions the legislation defines as extremist, expand protections for religious communities and introduce major updates to Queensland’s weapons regime.
The reforms have been welcomed by several faith organisations, particularly Jewish community groups, which have called for stronger protections in the wake of the Bondi attack. Civil liberties groups and the Opposition, however, say they want to see more detail about how the new offences will operate in practice.
Here’s what’s in the Bill and what it means for practitioners and the community.
What’s in the legislation?
The Bill makes amendments across the Criminal Code, Weapons Act 1990, Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, and several related laws.
Its measures fall into two main categories – hate-related conduct, prohibited symbolism and protections for faith communities, and new and strengthened firearms offences and policing powers.
Prohibited symbols and hate-motivated behaviour
What’s now banned?
One of the most debated parts of the Bill dealt with new criminal offences concerned with expressions associated with prohibited ideological or violent movements.
Originally, the government proposed allowing the Attorney-General ban certain expressions by regulation. That was dropped after criticism, and the Bill was amended to include two specific phrases, which are illegal when used in a way meant to menace, harass or offend:
- “from the river to the sea”;
- “globalise the intifada”.
The laws also target the display of symbols and gestures that authorities classify as extremist or terrorist, both in public and online.
Conduct around places of worship
The Bill expands offences relating to intimidation or harassment of people attending religious services. Penalties have been increased for:
- Assaults on ministers of religion— maximum penalty now five years.;
- Intimidating or obstructing people entering or leaving a place of worship – maximum three years;
- Wilful damage to places of worship – now a crime carrying up to seven years;
- Disturbing religious worship – modernised and penalties increased.
These changes reflect concerns raised by multiple faith groups about escalating harassment outside religious facilities.
Firearms and weapons reforms
Alongside the hate related reforms, the Bill contains one of the most significant weapons law overhauls in recent years.
New offences and tougher penalties
- Reckless discharge toward a building or vehicle – aimed at “drive-by” style incidents;
- 3D‑printed firearms and blueprints – new offences for possessing or sharing plans used to manufacture weapons;
- Higher penalties for trafficking and illegal possession of firearms;
- Stealing a firearm or ammunition – now carries up to 14 years’ jail;
- New offence – preparing or planning to cause death or grievous bodily harm – up to 14 years even if no attack occurs or the plan isn’t specific.
Changes to licensing and risk assessments
The laws broaden the criteria for holding or keeping a firearm licence:
- Licence applicants generally must be Australian citizens;
- Police can consider a wider range of past behaviour, including spent or unrecorded convictions, when assessing risk;
- The Firearm Prohibition Order Scheme is expanded with stricter oversight;
- Several firearm categories now require solid-steel storage containers.
Expanded police powers and intelligence sharing
Police will have new powers to disrupt, not just investigate, serious weapons offending. In practice, that means officers will be able to step in earlier and more proactively – stopping offending before it occurs, rather than waiting for a crime to unfold. The Bill also broadens information sharing arrangements, including cooperation with the Australian Defence Force.
What changed after the parliamentary committee inquiry?
Once a Bill is introduced, it is typically referred to a Parliamentary Committee for review. This inquiry phase, between the first and second readings, allows for submissions and detailed consideration of the Bill.
QLS and several key stakeholders provided submissions raising issues with several aspects of the draft legislation.
The committee subsequently released its report, which included the Opposition’s Statement of Reservation. During the public hearing, witnesses – including QLS – also raised concerns about a proposal that would allow prohibited expressions to be defined by regulation, rather than set out in the legislation itself. This approach would have resulted in those expressions being determined outside the full Parliamentary process.
Following the committee’s inquiry and the issues raised, the government introduced amendments to the Bill. These amendments inserted the list of prohibited expressions directly into the legislation, rather than leaving them to be prescribed by regulation.
How does this compare to the federal debate?
Queensland’s laws come at the same time the Federal Government has passed new national legislation, with the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026 passing both houses on 20 January 2026.
While the federal package focuses on criminal offences linked to prohibited hate groups and religious and secular leaders, the Queensland legislation centres on what it defines as prohibited expressions and symbols, conduct around religious facilities and physical threats. The federal bill includes a defence for quoting religious texts; the Queensland laws do not.
Unlike the national proposal, Queensland’s package also contains a substantial firearms component.
Although the two frameworks operate independently, both reflect a broader shift towards earlier intervention in cases involving hate-motivated or behaviour authorities classify as extremist-linked behaviour.
These developments sit alongside the work of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, which was established in January 2026 to examine the rise of antisemitism, the circumstances of the Bondi attack, and how agencies respond to hate‑motivated threats.
What do these laws mean for Queenslanders?
The new reforms create a wider range of offences relating to prohibited expressions, symbols and gestures and broaden the state’s ability to regulate how firearms are accessed, used and trafficked. Places of worship receive additional legal protections, and authorities responsible for weapons licences will have more discretion to consider risk factors that were previously outside the scope of decision making.
The government says the changes will strengthen community safety and give police clearer authority to act on hate related conduct. Civil liberties groups, however, say the impact will depend on how the laws are enforced.
What happens next?
The new offences and regulatory changes will take effect in stages as police, licensing bodies and courts update their systems. Police have already used the new laws, charging two protesters on 11 March – the same day the legislation received assent.
Operational guidance and training materials are expected to follow to help agencies interpret the laws, particularly around prohibited symbols and expanded licensing discretion.
The government has indicated it may consider further changes as national reforms progress, and the interaction between state and federal frameworks will become clearer once the federal process is complete.