NSW Government quietly releases high-anticipated Sackar review
The Minns Labor government has finally released the review it commissioned into criminal law protections against the incitement of hatred, without meaningful action on most of its recommendations.
The report has been the subject of significant controversy, including the suspension of the acting leader of the government in June, due to the Minns Labor government’s failure to release it in response to a successful motion ordering its release by Greens MLC Dr Amanda Cohn.
“It’s extraordinary that it took sustained pressure from the Parliament to force the government to finally release this important report, after months of secrecy, while marginalised communities continue to experience worsening hatred and division.” Dr Cohn said.
“This report has been sitting on the government’s desk since November last year. More than half of its recommendations don’t require legislative change. The Minns Labor government ‘continuing to consider’ the remaining recommendations after 7 months is kicking the can down the road on critical matters of safety and inclusion” she said.
Sue Higginson MLC, Greens spokesperson for Justice said “In the final hours of the last parliamentary sitting, we were considering the exact legislative provisions that Justice Sackar has made recommendations concerning. It’s contemptuous of Labor Premier Chris Minns to have abused parliamentary processes to keep this review secret.”
“The Minns government clearly has a problem with receiving and accepting independent expert advice. This Government needs to grow up, open up and stop the secrecy. If they want to disagree with advice they receive then let’s have that open debate and discussion on the floor of Parliament as the laws are before us.”
“The definition of racial hatred is so imprecise it has only resulted in 9 charges. We cannot use the criminal legal system as our only tool to reduce hate in our communities. The Minns Labor Government should go back to the drawing board and focus on strengthening anti-discrimination protections in law to stop hateful behaviour before it starts.”
Background
The NSW Government appointed the Honourable John Sackar AM KC to review criminal law protections against the incitement of hatred in May 2025. This review included contributions from 54 key organisations, and his report was handed to the Attorney General in November 2025.
In March 2026, Greens MLC Dr Amanda Cohn passed a motion in the upper house ordering the report to be released.
The Minns Labor Government refused to produce the review in response to the order for papers, with the Acting Leader of the Government censured and subsequently suspended from Parliament in June as a result.
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