2026-10-01
The Minns Labor Government’s Attorney General Michael Daley has sought to intervene in a High Court case in support of Queensland’s ban on pro-Palestine political phrases ‘From the River to the Sea’ and ‘Globalise the Intifada’.
The Premier has long called for legislation to ban the phrase ‘globalise the intifada’ in New South Wales, but has been forced to back down on plans due to the High Court constitutional challenge of similar Queensland laws.
Greens MP, spokesperson for justice and solicitor Sue Higginson said “It’s baffling and reckless, but perhaps unsurprising, to see the Minns Labor Government joining in with the Queensland Liberal Nationals to seek to criminalise political speech which is protected by the freedom of political communication within our Constitution,
“The Minns Government have stood in Court defending unconstitutional anti-protest laws and argued to stop lawful protests, including the landmark March for Humanity across the Harbour Bridge, and they have failed, failed and failed again. Now the Premier and the Attorney General want to turn up in the High Court and fail yet again,
“It is not lost on anyone that the Minns Labor Government are only seeking to criminalise lawful political expression that supports the Palestinian cause. Their assaults on free speech are designed to chill legitimate dissent against the genocidal State of Israel,
“In NSW right now we have a justice system spiralling out of control, and a spike in women being murdered by their violent partners, but the Attorney General of our state wants to spend his time and our money frivolously trying to outlaw political slogans in the High Court. This decision was entirely needless, and it reveals that the priorities of this Government are entirely misguided,”
“This is a foolish and divisive move. The Premier must accept that trying to control and criminalise people, who simply wish to express their desire for peace, undermines social cohesion,” Ms Higginson said.