NSW Premier Chris Minns has announced sweeping new powers to shut down prayer halls accused of spreading hate, including cutting off water and electricity to sites found in breach of the law.
Speaking in Sydney on Sunday, Minns said the government would act swiftly against any venue hosting hate preachers or operating without council or state approval.
His hard-line position comes after the Al Madina Dawah Centre in Bankstown which was shut down over its alleged link to the Bondi Beach massacre revealed that it had 'paused' its operations temporarily.
Minns is also considering deploying army troops to Sydney streets to protect Jewish community in the aftermath of the December 14 terror attack that claimed 15 innocent lives.
'We're in discussions about it,' he confirmed, when asked about the possibility of calling in national armed forces to guard Jewish schools and synagogues.
'I'm not prepared to front run it, because obviously that's a change for us, but I'm just flagging with everyone, I'm not going to rule anything out.'
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.
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.
In a statement, 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,' the statement read.
The centre also claimed it's now under new management and that prominent cleric Wissam Haddad was no longer involved.
However, the listed contact number matches Haddad's long-time details, prompting questions over the change.
The Al Madina Dawah Centre (pictured) was shut down due to running an illegal prayer hall
Haddad, who has previously delivered anti-Jewish sermons at Al Madina, once told followers: 'If all the Muslims in that region spat on Israel, the people of Israel would drown, the Jews would drown.'
He previously 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 warning that zero tolerance will apply to racism and anti-Semitism, 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.
With New Year's Eve celebrations approaching, Minns urged Sydneysiders to stand strong 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.'