Australia hate speech law extension to LGBTQ, disabled communities considered
Stronger hate speech protections for religious groups, people with disabilities and the LGBTQ community will be considered by the Albanian government after the comprehensive antisemitism bill passes parliament, amid community concerns that the law does not adequately address all hate speech.
Key figures in the Labor government, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, have since Tuesday morning signaled a potential expansion of protections, which are currently limited to race and would likely only cover Jewish and Sikh religious communities.
Asked at a press conference on Tuesday morning about concerns about cross-pollinations involving religion and sexual orientation in protecting hate speech, Albanese said: “We have existing legislation. We will have a process going forward.”
“The focus is very much on the aftermath of December 14th. It’s about what constitutes an anti-Semitic terrorist attack. What we plan to do on broader issues is to have a process, if the law is approved by parliament, to refer to a process going forward, to look at other areas of hate speech,” Albanese said. he said.
On Monday afternoon, Albanese announced that parliament would be called early next week to present a motion of condolence over the Bondi attack and to debate single legislation strengthening hate speech laws and establishing a national arms buyback scheme.
The bill, drafted by the government in the summer, would introduce new anti-defamation provisions targeting Islamic preachers who spread hatred against Jews and other minorities; creating crimes for hate preachers and community leaders who radicalize children; facilitate the cancellation of visas; and increasing penalties for hate crimes.
But it has been criticized by advocacy groups and politicians for its limited scope, which fails to address other types of hate speech. Independent MP Allegra Harcayıcı, whose electorate includes Bondi Beach, advocated for the laws to be expanded to protect various communities.
“Neo-Nazis target Jews, Muslims, LGBTIQ+ Australians and people living with disabilities, for example,” he said.
“And while Australian Jews are rightly at the center of concern right now, leaders of the Jewish community clearly support legislation that protects more than just race.”
Multiculturalism Minister Anne Aly said in a statement to this imprint that the government is “open to considering extending protections to other forms of hate” after the bill, which will be introduced next week, is passed by parliament.
In a television appearance on Tuesday morning, Health Minister Mark Butler also shared the government’s openness to “expanding the detail of this bill”, listing disability, gender, sexuality and “a range of other things” as potential areas of focus. Butler said the government was now “unapologetically” focused on tackling antisemitism.
Equality Australia Legal Director Heather Corkhill called for the bill to be extended, saying: “No one should be targeted because of their race or religion and no one should be targeted because of their sexuality or gender identity. If hate is unacceptable for one group, it should be unacceptable for everyone.”
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Nick Newling is the federal politics correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via email.
