The Australian federal government will significantly strengthen hate speech laws — including measures targeting religious preachers — and introduce new powers to cancel or refuse visas for individuals who spread “hate and division”, in response to the Bondi massacre that left 15 people dead.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese announced the measures on Thursday, following days of growing pressure on the government to take stronger action against anti-Jewish hatred after Sunday’s terrorist attack on a Hanukah celebration.
Speaking in Canberra after a meeting of the national security committee, Albanese said the government “adopts and fully supports” a plan developed by Jillian Segal to combat antisemitism.
He said the changes would include the creation of an aggravated hate speech offence for preachers and leaders who promote violence, increased penalties for hate speech that incites violence, and the treatment of hate as an aggravating factor in sentencing for crimes involving online threats and harassment.
The measures would also involve developing a regime to list organisations whose leaders engage in hate speech that promotes violence or racial hatred, as well as establishing a narrowly defined federal offence for serious vilification based on race or the advocacy of racial supremacy, he said.
Albanese acknowledged that Australia had seen a rise in antisemitism since 7 October 2023, which “culminated on Sunday in one of the worst acts of mass murder that this country has ever seen”.
“It was an attack on our Jewish community – but it was also an attack on the Australian way of life. Australians are shocked and angry. I am angry. It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge much more,” he said.
Albanese’s focus on tightening gun control laws in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s shooting has drawn criticism, with claims — including from former Liberal prime minister John Howard — that he was attempting to deflect attention from perceived failures to combat antisemitism.
