NSW government moves to cut red tape for security upgrades at places of worship amid anti-Semitism surge

Boosting safety at churches, mosques and synagogues could become a lot easier in NSW after the state’s government proposed cutting red tape for security upgrades for places of worship.

The Premier State’s government announced on Sunday it was moving to amend planning laws to let religious sites install bollards, fencing, lighting, security cameras, safety glass and reinforced doors without a development application.

The proposed changes come amid a surge in anti-Semitism across Australia, with NSW Premier Chris Minns pointing to “recent incidents”.

“Places of worship should be sanctuaries of peace and safety,” he said.

“We are working to ensuring all people can worship freely without fear. These changes will make that possible.

“This decision follows several recent incidents of vandalism and arson against religious buildings in the state, highlighting the urgent need for heightened security.

“Sadly, these steps are necessary to enable security upgrades to public places of worship, without the need for planning approval, so that all of our people can attend their chosen place of worship freely and safely.”

Tensions sparked by Israel’s war against Islamist militants in Gaza has aggravated social friction in Australia, with multiple high profile anti-Semitic incidents taking places in the country’s biggest cities in recent months.

A car was torched and buildings defaced with anti-Semitic graffiti in the east Sydney suburb of Woollahra earlier this month.

In November, several cars were spray-painted with anti-Semitic graffiti in another part of the same suburb, which is home to a high Jewish population.

Meanwhile, a synagogue in Melbourne was also firebombed earlier this month, in what police are investigating as a terrorist attack.

Speaking shortly after the incident, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said there had been “no prior intelligence” suggesting the attack would take place, but that investigators had made great strides following the fire.

“We’ve had significant progress, we’ve gained intelligence and evidence, as a result of that … we are treating this as a terrorist attack,” he said.

Days later, the federal government set up a multi-agency taskforce to crack down on anti-Semitism.

The Victorian government has since proposed changes to protest laws that would, among other things, impose a mask ban at demonstrations.

Back in Sydney, “F**k Islam” and “Cancel Islam” were also spray-painted onto an underpass in Chester Hill earlier this month.

The Western Sydney suburb has a high Muslim population.

Authorities have repeatedly warned against importing the conflict in the Middle East to Australia – a big ask when swathes of Australians have family members caught up in the fighting on both sides.

Israel’s war against Hamas has killed north of 40,000 people and destroyed most of the Palestinian Gaza’s buildings.

With aid supplies reduced to a trickle, famine and disease run rampant.

The military action was sparked by Hamas’ brutal October 7 terrorist attack last year that killed more than 1200 people, including entire families.

Witnesses detailed horrific acts of torture in the attack.

Hamas’ leadership has vowed to repeat the assault if given the chance.