Statement on law reform to address antisemitism
Wednesday 19 February 2025
The antisemitic attacks that have occurred across NSW and Australia are reprehensible. They have undermined community cohesion, and our sense of shared values and security.
Media Releases
The Bar Association Constitution promotes the administration of justice and the public good in relation to legal matters. Informed public debate and the provision of legal expertise to law reform proposals is crucial to the maintenance of the rule of law in society and the administration of justice.
For media enquiries, please email mediaenquires@nswbar.asn.au
The NSW Bar Association denounces yesterday’s incident of antisemitic graffiti and property damage in Woollahra, the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne on 6 December 2024, and the increasing antisemitic attacks occurring across Australi The NSW Bar Association supports calls for the increased funding of legal assistance services to ensure that everyone has access to justice. The New South Wales Bar Association opposes the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) and Other Legislation Amendment (Knife Crime) Bill 2024, because it undermines fundamental rights by allowing arbitrary wanding searches. The NSW Bar Association has significant concerns about the Bail and Other Legislation Amendment (Domestic Violence) Bill 2024, which was recently introduced into the NSW Parliament. The New South Wales Bar Association has criticised the NSW Government’s rushed bail reforms, which were introduced into the NSW Parliament yesterday without prior consultation. The NSW Bar Association welcomes the publication of the Report on the Statutory Review of the Coroners Act 2009 (NSW). The NSW Bar Association has issued a media release supporting calls from the Chief Justice of New South Wales, the Hon Andrew Bell, for increased funding of the New South Wales court system. The NSW Bar Association calls on the NSW Government to establish the support services required to be able to raise the age of criminal responsibility within a clear timeframe. The NSW Bar Association welcomes the NSW Government’s amendments to NSW drug laws introduced in Parliament today. The NSW Bar Association reiterates its call for urgent action to reduce incarceration rates of First Nations people, following this week’s findings of Coronial Inquest into the death of ‘RRC’ at the Shortland Correctional Centre. The NSW Bar Association welcomes the release by the Hon. T F Bathurst AC KC of his firm view of the result of the Inquiry into the convictions of Kathleen Megan Folbigg that there is reasonable doubt in relation to each of her convictions The President of the NSW Bar Association Gabrielle Bashir SC has today issued the following President’s message to members of the Association. A comprehensive suite of policies to promote the proper administration of justice and fundamental legal principles across NSW has been released in the NSW Bar Association’s 2023 Election Policy Statement: The NSW Bar Association is renewing calls for the New South Wales Government to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14. The NSW Bar Association is disappointed by the response of the NSW Government to recommendations of the Legislative Council Select Committee Inquiry into much-needed reforms of the Coronial System. The New South Wales Bar Association congratulates the Honourable Justice Jayne Jagot on the announcement of her appointment as a Justice of the High Court of Australia. New South Wales Bar Association President Gabrielle Bashir SC has welcomed the Government's response to the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug Ice, but called on the Government to move decisively on its implementation The President of the New South Wales Bar Association Gabrielle Bashir SC said it is time for the NSW Government to end its silence on drug reform "Since then, the NSW Government has failed to respond to the overwhelming majority of the recommendations" The President of the New South Wales Bar Association, Gabrielle Bashir SC, has called on the NSW Government to rethink its precipitous reforms to the Bail Act. President of the Law Society of NSW Joanne van der Plaat and President of the NSW Bar Association, Gabrielle Bashir SC welcomed the 2022-23 Budget’s $9.9 million investment in a Child and Family Advocacy and Support pilot scheme, $10 million for an Aborigi The Bar Association urges the NSW Government and the Opposition not to rush into ill-considered laws to expand police powers to confiscate ‘unexplained wealth’, without consultation with all stakeholders. The appointment of Lincoln Crowley QC, as the first Australian First Nations Supreme Court judge, has been applauded by the president of the New South Wales Bar Association, Gabrielle Bashir SC. The NSW Bar Association calls on the NSW Government to act now on two long overdue areas of criminal justice reform. The NSW Bar Association welcomes the appointment of the President of the NSW Court of Appeal, the Honourable Justice Andrew Bell, as Chief Justice of NSW, and the appointment of the Chief Judge in Equity, the Honourable Justice Julie Ward, as President o The President of the New South Wales Bar Association Michael McHugh SC today welcomed the establishment of a specialised Walama list to determine specific matters involving First Nations offenders. Unjustified Criticism of Judicial Officers Undermines Confidence in our Justice System Media Release - The Age of Criminal Responsibility should be raised to 14 Years The President of the New South Wales Bar Association Michael McHugh SC has today welcomed the State Government’s budget announcement of additional funding for eight new Local Court magistrates and support services for victims, but cautioned that other key The New South Wales Bar Association acknowledges that sexual assault is an abhorrent crime that should be dealt with by the full force of the law. There has been much commentary in recent weeks about the meaning and operation on the rule of law. A submission of the New South Wales Bar Association The 2020-21 NSW Budget is regrettably yet another missed opportunity to invest in critical aspects of justice for First Nations Peoples and address the systemic over-representation of First Nations Peoples in custody, the NSW Bar Association said. sa This NAIDOC Week the New South Wales Bar Association has called again on the NSW Government to prioritise funding the Walama Court in the District Court in the upcoming Budget. The New South Wales Bar Association congratulates the Honourable Justice Simon Steward and the Honourable Justice Jacqueline Gleeson on the announcement today of their appointment as Justices of the High Court of Australia. Higher targets to reduce the over-representation of First Nations People in Australia’s criminal justice system could be achieved more quickly and safely based on new data, the New South Wales Bar Association said today. The Association has expressed dismay at the unambitious justice targets announced by the Federal Government which fail to prioritise critical initiatives to address the over-representation of First Nations People in Australia's criminal justice system. The New South Wales Bar Association is deeply concerned by the matters the subject of a statement by the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia today. New South Wales should not follow Victoria’s decision this week to legislate to introduce contingency fees for plaintiff solicitors in representative proceeding, according to the New South Wales Bar Association. Recent events have highlighted the urgent need to address the continued over-representation of Indigenous people in Australia’s criminal justice system, including by establishing the Walama Court and adopting the Uluru Statement and a First Nations Voice. The New South Wales Bar Association reiterates its call to establish a specific Indigenous Sentencing Court - the Walama Court - following the release of new research on the effectiveness of Circle Sentencing in NSW Local Courts. Comments in an article in The Australian about the Special Commission of Inquiry into the events surrounding the Ruby Princess cruise ship are unfortunate and risk undermining the inquiry’s integrity. Media statement by the President of the New South Wales Bar Association Tweet for equality this International Women's Day: Join @NSWBar's virtual photo wall The New South Wales Bar Association has marked the International Day of People with Disability by calling for greater awareness of the challenges people with a disability face in accessing justice. An $88 million injection by the NSW Government into the state’s chronically underfunded legal aid system is a step in the right direction.
Statement from the President of the New South Wales Bar Association on Antisemitism
Thursday 12 December 2024
Increased Funding Needed to Ensure Access to Justice
Friday 16 August 2024
Wanding Search Powers Undermine Fundamental Rights
Wednesday 5 June 2024
Bail Reforms Require Further Consideration
Friday 17 May 2024
Rushed reforms will result in more children being imprisoned
Wednesday 13 March 2024
NSW Government Must Seize Opportunity for Coronial Reform
Thursday 15 February 2024
NSW Bar Association Supports Chief Justice on Court Funding
Thursday 1 February 2024
More Action Needed on Raising the Age of Criminal Responsibility
Wednesday 6 December 2023
NSW Bar Association welcomes sensible and long-awaited drug reforms
Friday 13 October 2023
NSW BAR ASSOCIATION URGES IMMEDIATE REFORM OF FIRST NATIONS INCARCERATION FOLLOWING SHORTLAND INQUEST
Friday 28 July 2023
NSW Bar Association welcomes release of early result of inquiry into convictions of Kathleen Folbigg
Monday 5 June 2023
Closing the Gap in our Constitution: NSW Bar Association Supports the First Nations Voice
Wednesday 12 April 2023
New South Wales Bar Association Election Policy Statement: A blueprint for an independent, impartial and properly resourced justice system
Sunday 18 December 2022
Urgent calls to increase age of criminal responsibility to 14
Wednesday 16 November 2022
Government rejects key recommendations for much needed reforms of the coronial system in NSW
Wednesday 2 November 2022
Appointment of Justice Jagot to the High Court of Australia
Thursday 29 September 2022
Real Action on Ice Scourge Can’t Wait Any Longer
Wednesday 21 September 2022
Government frozen on Ice Inquiry response for two and a half years
Thursday 1 September 2022
Hasty bail reforms may worsen delays in our courts
Wednesday 22 June 2022
Budget 2022-23: Justice and First Nations positives, but silence persists on drug diversion
Tuesday 21 June 2022
Unexplained wealth laws can’t be rushed
Monday 6 June 2022
First Indigenous Supreme Court judge a cause for celebration and reflection
Friday 27 May 2022
NSW Bar Association calls for action on long overdue criminal justice reforms
Thursday 17 March 2022
NSW Bar Association welcomes the appointment of the next Chief Justice of NSW and President of the Court of Appeal
Wednesday 16 February 2022
New South Wales Bar Association welcomes creation of Walama list.
Monday 22 November 2021
Joint New South Wales Bar Association and Law Society of NSW Media Release
Friday 12 November 2021
Media Release - The Age of Criminal Responsibility should be raised to 14 Years
Friday 12 November 2021
Message from the President - ADDITIONAL LOCAL COURT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FUNDING WELCOMED BUT GOVERNMENT NEGLECTS WALAMA COURT AND ICE INQUIRY RECOMMENDATIONS
Tuesday 22 June 2021
CONSENT PROPOSALS COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT INJUSTICE
Tuesday 25 May 2021
STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES BAR ASSOCIATION REGARDING THE RULE OF LAW -
Friday 12 March 2021
RESERVATION FEES A DISTRACTION FROM THE FAMILY LAW COSTS AND DELAYS FLAWED MERGER BILL WILL CAUSE
Monday 7 December 2020
DISAPPOINTING’ NSW BUDGET HOLDS BACK ON FUNDING FOR WALAMA COURT, FIRST NATIONS
Wednesday 18 November 2020
ESTABLISHING THE WALAMA COURT MUST NOT BE IGNORED IN NSW BUDGET OR JUSTICE SYSTEM
Friday 13 November 2020
APPOINTMENT OF JUSTICE STEWARD AND JUSTICE GLEESON TO THE HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIA
Wednesday 28 October 2020
HIGHER TARGETS TO REDUCE INDIGENOUS INCARCERATION CAN BE IMPLEMENTED QUICKLY, SAFELY
Wednesday 5 August 2020
Targets miss the mark on justice for First Nations
Thursday 30 July 2020
Statement by the President of the New South Wales Bar Association
Monday 22 June 2020
Contingency fees should be opposed in NSW to protect litigants’ interests and lawyers’ duties
Friday 19 June 2020
Walama Court must not be delayed
Wednesday 10 June 2020
CIRCLE SENTENCING SUCCESS STRENGTHENS CASE FOR A WALAMA COURT IN NSW
Tuesday 26 May 2020
Suggestion of Political Interference compromises integrity of independent inquiries
Friday 8 May 2020
COVID-19 laws must be reasonable, appropriate and proportionate, not undermine justice
Tuesday 24 March 2020
Tweet for equality this International Women’s Day: Join @NSWBar’s virtual photo wall
Friday 6 March 2020
Start a conversation about access to justice this International Day of People with Disability
Tuesday 3 December 2019
$88m legal aid injection a positive but incomplete investment in NSW justice
Friday 8 November 2019
To top
