Police say they are investigating the vandalism of an iconic New South Wales tourist attraction as an act of hate speech under laws introduced and strengthened in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.
Warning: This story contains language that may offend readers.
The words “F** Israel” and an image of the Palestinian flag were found on the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour in the early hours of Sunday.
The graffiti on the attraction, which is in a prominent position on the Pacific Highway, was cleaned off hours later.
Coffs Clarence Police District Superintendent Joanne Schultz told the ABC Coffs Coast Breakfast radio program that police were investigating the incident under new reforms.
“We’re certainly investigating it as a suspected hate speech offence. Certainly at the lowest level it’s graffiti and malicious damage and at the worst it would be considered hate speech,” she said.Â
Superintendent Joanne Schultz says police are investigating the incident under newly strengthened hate speech laws. (ABC Coffs Coast: Charles Rushforth)
People urged not to share images online
New laws were introduced and strengthened by the New South Wales government in December in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, in which 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah celebration.
Under the legislation, a hate crime is anything that occurs in public, such as graffiti, a social media post, speech or rally chant, used to intentionally incite hate and that would cause a reasonable person to feel targeted or feel fear.
Strengthened penalties include up to two years in prison for individuals or an $11,000 fine.
In January, the federal government also passed strengthened hate speech laws, granting additional powers to list and act against suspected hate groups, while also increasing penalties for hate crimes, with some fearful the laws would silence “legitimate criticisms” of foreign governments such as Israel.
Superintendent Schultz said people circulating the images online could also be implicated under the laws and she urged people to take them down.Â
“It is something within the context of the legislation. It is quite broad legislation so I would encourage people not to post that information, those images,” she said.Â
“It is certainly offensive. It’s offensive to parts of our community and it’s not wanted.”
The Big Banana general manager Michael Lockman said he believed the venue had been targeted by the same group in a previous incident, but declined to comment further due to fear of retaliation.
Yasmin Catley has condemned the Coffs Harbour incident. (ABC News: Monish Nand)
Sentiments ‘not tolerated’
A spokesperson for NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley condemned the incident, saying NSW Police had been given stronger powers to respond to this type of conduct.
“The graffiti in Coffs Harbour is appalling and police are investigating,” a statement read.
“Antisemitism is a stain on our community and it will not be tolerated.”
Police have appealed to anyone who witnessed suspicious behaviour or has dash-cam footage from the area between 1am and 4am on Sunday to contact them.Â