New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has unveiled a robust plan to grant authorities the power to close down prayer halls accused of promoting hate speech, including measures such as cutting off utilities to venues that violate the law.

During a press conference in Sydney on Sunday, Minns emphasized the government’s commitment to taking immediate action against any location hosting hate preachers or operating without proper council or state authorization.

This decisive stance follows the temporary closure of the Al Madina Dawah Centre in Bankstown, which faced scrutiny due to its alleged connection to the tragic Bondi Beach massacre.

In the wake of the December 14 terrorist attack that resulted in the loss of 15 innocent lives, Minns is also contemplating the deployment of military troops to safeguard Sydney’s Jewish community.

When questioned about potentially involving national armed forces to protect Jewish schools and synagogues, Minns responded, “We’re in discussions about it.”

He added, “I’m not prepared to make a definitive announcement yet, as it would represent a significant shift for us, but I want to be clear that no options are being dismissed.”

He further emphasised, ‘nothing’s off the table’ when it comes to restoring confidence and safeguarding the community.

‘Anyone who is found to have preached hate or put hate in the hearts of anyone in our community should have their prayer halls shut down as soon as possible,’ Minns added. 

NSW Premier Chris Minns (pictured in Bondi on Sunday) has vowed to shut down any venue hosting hate preachers 

The Premier will consider deploying army troops to protect the Jewish community in the wake of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack (pictured are riot police at Bondi)

Muslim cleric Wissam Haddad (pictured) previously gave an antisemitic sermon at the Al Madina prayer hall, which was shut down by the local council last week

Under Minns’ plan, offending venues will face tougher penalties than token fines. 

If needed, authorities will switch off utilities to ‘easily and comprehensively’ shut them down.

‘We’re going to make sure that if people are running a prayer hall in breach of conditions, they can be shut down easily and comprehensively, not just with a nominal fine from the local council, but with the switching off of utilities as soon as possible,’ Minns said.

The crackdown follows revelations that the surviving alleged Bondi gunman Naveed Akram visited the Al Madina Dawah Centre before the Bondi Beach attack. 

Canterbury-Bankstown Council last week issued a ‘cease use’ notice to shut down the centre, adding that the premises had never been approved for prayer services, only as a medical centre.

Despite this, management initially claimed the centre was not closing, arguing it met requirements for a community centre. 

Al Madina said it would ‘temporarily pause operations’ while submitting a change-of-use application. 

‘We emphasise that the centre is not closing; this pause is purely to ensure full compliance with council requirements and to obtain the necessary approvals,’ a statement to the Daily Telegraph read.

The Al Madina Dawah Centre in Bankstown (pictured) was shut down by council last week

Sydneysiders are slowly returning to Bondi’s world famous beach in the wake of the December 14 terrorist attack

The centre also claimed it’s now under new management and that prominent cleric Wissam Haddad is no longer involved.

However, the listed contact number matches Haddad’s details, prompting questions over the change. 

Haddad previously delivered antisemitic sermons at Al Madina.

‘If all the Muslims in that region spat on Israel, the people of Israel would drown, the Jews would drown,’ he once told followers.

Haddad has denied any involvement in the Bondi shooting but recently posted a photo on Instagram captioned: ‘The Boogeyman, he’s hiding right behind you.’

Minns slammed such rhetoric, calling Haddad a ‘proven racist’ and warned that zero tolerance will apply to racism and antisemitism, whether publicly or ‘behind closed doors aimed at young minds.’ 

‘There is no statute of limitations on this kind of racism,’ Minns said. 

‘We will do everything we can to restore confidence and keep the public safe.’

New legislation with stronger penalties and enforcement is expected imminently.

Minns also supported federal moves against hate speech but insisted NSW would lead the effort in closing venues that foster division.

Minns (pictured) urged Sydneysiders to not let terrorists ‘win’, urging people to go out on NYE

Fifteen innocent lives were killed in the Bondi terrorist attack. Pictured are police at one of the funerals 

With New Year’s Eve celebrations approaching, Minns urged Sydneysiders to head out and celebrate the city’s biggest night of the year. 

‘We can’t let these people win,’ he said. 

‘Show defiance by going out and spending time with family and friends over the New Year period. 

‘Don’t let the weather or circumstances get in your way.’