NSW investigates Dural caravan incident and hate speech laws

The New South Wales parliament has announced an inquiry into a caravan found with explosives near Sydney. The investigation will look into what government officials knew about the incident before new hate speech laws were passed. This inquiry was called by independent MP Rod Roberts and has support from various opposition members and the Greens. The legislation, aimed at reducing antisemitism, made it illegal to make racist remarks in public and imposed restrictions on protests near places of worship. Concerns have arisen that lawmakers may have been misled about the seriousness of the caravan incident. Officials had initially labeled the incident as terrorism but later indicated it was likely linked to organized crime. The inquiry's focus will be on what Premier Chris Minns and other leaders knew about the caravan incident from January 19 to February 20, the day before the laws were passed. It will also investigate any briefings given to the government by New South Wales police and the Australian federal police during that period. Roberts expressed feelings of betrayal, stating he supported the legislation believing there was a real threat to the Jewish community. Other members of the parliament also voiced their concerns. They urged that the inquiry should reveal if any critical information was withheld from the public. Labor MP Penny Sharpe defended the laws, emphasizing the rise in antisemitism during the summer and the need for action. She acknowledged there were debates about the laws but insisted that the government's response was both necessary and justified.