Documents produced to the AAP under freedom of information laws have revealed that the NSW Cabinet Office national security expert warned Premier Chris Minns that rushed changes to hate speech laws following the Bondi terror attack would not change behaviours, and risked driving extremism and radicalisation underground.
The advice to the premier also warned that rapid changes in the law and expanded police powers could undermine efforts to counter extremism and that heavy handed policing could undermine public trust and increase the likelihood of radicalisation.
Greens MP and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said, ‘The experts working in the Cabinet Office have clearly articulated that any changes to the law considered by the government following the Bondi attack should be carefully considered and proportionate. Instead, the premier delivered rushed laws in the middle of the night that could drive radicalisation and extremism underground.
‘The exact warnings that this expert raised came to pass in February this year,’ she said. ‘An emboldened police force, acting with rushed powers and under instruction from the government, attacked a peaceful community at Town Hall on 9 February. We are now seeing a reduced trust in the police, and a breakdown in the partnership between the community, particularly the Muslim community and the police.’
Causing NSW harm
Sue Higginson said, ‘The warnings were loud and clear, and in the parliament during debate I put the strong views of civil society and expert organisations, and I put amendments that would have addressed all of the matters raised by the Cabinet Office. The government’s arrogance for expert advice and the parliamentary process is causing NSW harm.
‘The actions of police at Town Hall are now subject to an investigation by the Police Watchdog, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC), but less than a week ago the premier lied to budget estimates hearings about that too. When reminded that he stood in parliament and said that he didn’t support the LECC conducting their investigation, he said “It’s absolutely not true”.
‘Chris Minns is playing fast and loose with the people of NSW, on matters where he is not qualified, he’s now been caught out as going against expert advice, and putting the NSW community at greater risk rather than less,’ concluded Ms Higginson.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
