Tougher hate crime laws have been proposed by the NSW government in a crackdown on recent antisemitic and racist graffiti across Sydney.

The reforms will introduce a new criminal offence for graffiti inciting racial hatred, which would carry a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment.

It also makes displaying a Nazi symbol on or near a synagogue its own crime with an increased penalty of two years’ jail time.

Premier Chris Minns said the laws had been drafted in response to the recent “horrifying” antisemitic attacks across Sydney.

“We have seen disgusting acts of racial hatred and antisemitism,” Minns said.

“These are strong new laws, and they need to be because these attacks have to stop.

“NSW is a multicultural state, and these acts designed to intimidate and divide will not work.”

He said the new inciting racial hate laws apply to an attack on any religion or person.

“These laws have been drafted in response to the horrifying antisemitic violence in our community but it’s important to note that they will apply to anyone, preying on any person, of any religion,” he said.

“If you commit these acts, you will face severe penalties, and we make no apologies for that.”

The reforms will also amend the Graffiti Control Act 2008 to create a new aggravated offence for graffiti on any place of worship. 

It also introduces a new offence in the Crimes Act that will make it illegal to harass, intimidate or threaten people at a place of worship.

It will also be illegal to intentionally block or stop someone from entering a place of worship without a reasonable excuse. 

“Blocking access to places of worship, graffitiing sacred sites, or inciting hatred are wholly unacceptable behaviours that have no place in our society,” Attorney-General Michael Daley said.

“These proposed changes strengthen penalties and expand police powers to maintain order across the community.

“The proposed changes will mean that divisive and hateful behaviours will not succeed in dividing our community.”

A funding boost of $525,000 to the NSW Police Force Engagement Hate Crime Unit was also announced to help with community engagement from police, including more visits to schools and Synagogues.

“Police are doing everything they can to disrupt and investigate these vile crimes,” Police and Counter-terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley.

“Today’s announcement will further strengthen their capability to continue this critical work.

An additional $500,000 will go towards increasing the NSW Local Government Social Cohesion Grants Program.