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Hate Speech Legislation

Published on: May 2026

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-164655

Hate Speech Legislation

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (12:53:36):

My question is directed to the Attorney General. Former Supreme Court Justice John Sackar's report on criminal law hate speech protections was given to the Government in November last year. Last week Minister Graham was censured in the other place for failing to provide the report under a call for papers. Why has the Attorney General not released the Sackar review, and when will he release it?

Mr MICHAEL DALEY (MaroubraAttorney General) (12:54:00):

— When it comes to looking after people who needs protection and equalling the playing field for victims of crime in New South Wales, including victims of vilification and the like, members opposite have completely abdicated their responsibility.

Ms Felicity Wilson:

Point of order: My point of order is quite clear. It is on relevance. The Attorney General is choosing to evade the question from the outset. Mr Speaker, I ask you to direct him to answer my question.

The SPEAKER:

I uphold the point of order. The Attorney General has not been directly relevant at this stage, but it is relatively early in his answer.

Mr MICHAEL DALEY:

They were introductory remarks and, if those opposite did not like them, they had better get used to it, because I am going to repeat them every single day until the badness that they visited upon victims in this State is reversed.

Ms Felicity Wilson:

Point of order: Mr Speaker, you made a clear ruling. The Attorney General continues to flout it. I ask that you please direct him to respond to your ruling, or censure him accordingly.

The SPEAKER:

I uphold the point of order. The Attorney General understands that. He will now return to the leave of the question.

Mr MICHAEL DALEY:

Last year we said we would consider the report before releasing it in due course. The Premier has been asked about that in press conferences on a number of occasions. He has reiterated that we will consider the report before releasing it in due course. We are still considering the report. It was commissioned early in 2025, before the Bondi attack and the Nazi stunt outside Parliament, which change the context. The report examined different issues to those considered by the parliamentary committee that looked at hateful speech and conduct over the summer. We have reiterated that answer on a number of occasions. I cannot be any more direct.

Ms Felicity Wilson:

Point of order—

The SPEAKER:

The Attorney General has completed his answer.