NSW Premier Chris Minns is facing backlash from everyday Australians after announcing the formation of a new police unit to combat “hate-related offences” while declaring “strength comes from diversity”.
Mr Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley, who last year were the subject of an inquiry into their use of a fake terror plot to push through new “hate speech” laws, revealed on Wednesday the NSW Police operation tasked with combatting anti-Semitism and “islamophobia” would become a permanent unit.
The Premier said the new Armed Response Command (ARC) will include 250 officers with access to “long arm rifles”, and Ms Catley said police were doubling the number of civilian Multicultural Liaison Officers from 30 to 60 to assist the unit, which will also have a 24/7 operations centre.
NSW’s strength comes from our diversity – and we’re committed to working hand-in-hand with our multicultural communities to strengthen cohesion, build trust, and ensure every person feels safe, respected and included. https://t.co/Mm02t8zUeY
— Chris Minns (@ChrisMinnsMP) February 25, 2026
Why do taxpayers have to fund your diversity police?
“We don’t have the same free speech laws that they have in the US” and we will enforce our multicultural norms with long arm rifles to ensure you can’t question it either. https://t.co/EBva60e8vu
— Australians vs. The Agenda (@ausvstheagenda) February 25, 2026
“NSW’s strength comes from our diversity – and we’re committed to working hand-in-hand with our multicultural communities to strengthen cohesion, build trust, and ensure every person feels safe, respected and included,” Mr Minns said.
“People want to see police where it matters – at major events, near places of worship, and in busy public spaces. The Armed Response Command (ARC) ensures that presence is consistent – and it sends a clear message that hate and division won’t be tolerated anywhere in NSW.”
But the announcement sparked fury from many Aussies who referred to Mr Minns regularly repeated statement that freedom of speech is incompatible with multiculturalism, and asked how diversity could be a strength if that was the case.
“Why do taxpayers have to fund your diversity police? ‘We don’t have the same free speech laws that they have in the US’ and we will enforce our multicultural norms with long arm rifles to ensure you can’t question it either,” wrote independent journalism outlet Australians vs. The Agenda on X.
“If diversity was really strength then you wouldn’t need a new rapid response unit, along with totalitarian laws to restrict free speech. It’s blatantly clear that multiculturalism is a complete failure,” wrote one Australian.
“Why does diversity need more police? Diversity is NOT a strength but a weakness you clown. Diversity requires barriers around public spaces,” another said.
Another simply said: “Police state multiculturalism in action.”
Others asked if the new unit, dubbed “multicultural police” by some commenters, would be liaising with the Anglo-Celtic community.
“We’ll be expecting you to reach out soon Chris, thanks,” wrote advocacy group the British Australian Community replied, and said in a separate post it would be formally requesting its president and a leading researcher for Multicultural Liaison Officer roles.
“Where’s the Anglo community liaison officers then? You continually pander to external ideologies whilst leaving ours on the way side,” asked another.
Opposition police spokesperson Anthony Roberts raised questions about whether NSW Police should be diverting resources away other parts of the city, where a gang war is raging between Middle Eastern and Pacific Islander criminal networks.
“There are critical questions as to whether NSW Police have the resourcing they need to staff this new unit without diverting officers from critical frontline policing roles particularly in Sydney’s west, south-west and north-west,” Mr Roberts said.
The formation of the ARC comes after Mr Minns brought in new “hate speech” and gun laws following the Bondi Islamic terrorist attack, and is seeking to introduce a ban on “Nazi ideology”.
He also confirmed this week some of the latest cohort of ISIS bride families would be resettled in NSW and supported by the taxpayer.
The inquiry into Mr Minns and Ms Catley’s handling of the Dural caravan hoax is yet to hand down its findings.
Header image: A NSW Police officer training with a Colt M4 rifle (NSW Police).
