Anthony Albanese flags Australia hate speech reforms in address of antisemitism report recommendations; Josh Frydenberg speech slams PM; Naveed Akram charges revealed; victim Matilda’s funeral today
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced legal reforms “to crack down on those who spread hatred, division and radicalisation”, including a crackdown on “hate preachers” and increased penalties for hate speech that incites violence.
Other reforms will include making hate “an aggravating factor in sentencing offenses of online threats and harassment” and “developing a regime for listing organizations whose leaders practice hate speech that incites violence or racial hatred”.
“The home secretary will also have new powers to cancel or refuse the visas of those who engage in hatred and separatism in this country, or would do so if they were allowed to come here,” he said.
David Gonski will lead the taskforce for a year to ensure Australia’s education system prevents and combats antisemitism.
Government will continue to work on Jillian Segal’s recommendations report.
Before turning to Prime Minister Segal, he concluded his speech with the following words:
“Australians have responded with love and sympathy to those mourning this act of hate. Australians have responded with courage and kindness to this act of cowardice and violence, and we saw that at St Mary’s Cathedral last night with interfaith communities coming together and it was truly uplifting,” he said.
“It is now up to all of us to honor the courage of Bondi’s heroic Australians in the most meaningful way possible: to eradicate the evil of antisemitism from our society.”
