Targeting hate crime, building community harmony and responding to threats of violent extremism are the focus of an additional $12.3 million investment through the NSW Government’s 2020-21 Budget.
Minister for Counter Terrorism Anthony Roberts said the funding will boost a number of successful programs.
“The NSW Government understands that there is no one path to violent extremism and the challenge is ever evolving,” Mr Roberts said
“This additional funding will work to limit the spread and influence of all forms of violent extremism and will also improve our response to threats fueled by grievances and fixations.”
Attorney General Mark Speakman said this funding will support a range of services across government and throughout the community to combat violence and hate.
“We are a strong and connected community. This has shone through in NSW’s response to the devastating bushfires and the COVID pandemic,” Mr Speakman said.
“But we cannot ignore the fact that a small number of individuals would like to divide us, incite fear and threaten our safety. This funding will limit the spread and influence of violent extremism and boost our response to threats fueled by hatred and prejudice.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services said this package will include an injection of funding for the NSW Police Force’s Engagement and Hate Crime Unit.
“We will strengthen the NSW Police Force’s capability to address hate crime, by providing additional training for frontline officers and additional resources to assist in the investigation of these heinous crimes,” Mr Elliott said.
“Community safety is the NSW Government’s number one priority and this funding builds on our ongoing commitment to support the hardworking men and women of the NSW Police Force who protect us from those who seek to sow hatred and violence.”
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said countering violent extremism and hate crime has been a long-standing priority for the Force.
“The NSW Police Force remains committed to detecting, intervening, and most importantly, preventing bias-motivated and fixated person crimes,” the Commissioner said.
“The safety of the people of NSW always comes first, and we will continue to target and take swift action against anyone who seeks to do harm regardless of their motivation.”
Funding will also be allocated to:
- Deliver case management, counselling and support to identify at-risk individuals and divert them away from extremism
- Campaigns and projects targeted at countering hatred and building community cohesion, including the Community Partnership Action (COMPACT) grants program and the online Remove Hate from the Debate campaign
This funding builds on the four-year $47 million package announced in 2016 in response to the rise of violent extremism and accelerated after the terrorist attack in Parramatta, which tragically cost the life of NSW Police accountant Curtis Cheng.
These new measures have been developed in line with the outcomes of an evaluation of the 2016 package.
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