PM puts ball back in opposition’s court on hate reforms
The federal government insists the coalition explain its stance on hate speech after splitting the legislative agenda to allow the Greens to support gun reform.
Both issues will be discussed on Tuesday as part of the extraordinary parliamentary sitting week in response to the Bondi terror attack.
On Monday, a motion of condolence will be presented for the victims of the December 14 massacre, after which the Senate will adjourn as a sign of respect.
The government had originally proposed an omnibus bill that included the planned gun buyback plan, hate group ban and racial slur provisions.
But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese moved to separate the proposals on Saturday after the Greens said they would only support firearms legislation.
“This is a way for (the Greens) to be able to vote for the gun laws they said they would vote for,” he told reporters.
“These gun laws are really important, there is no reason for anyone to oppose these gun laws.”
Mr Albanese also signaled the removal of hate speech from the surviving bill, as racial libel offenses were also not supported.
“Hate crimes legislation will continue, racial libel bills do not have the support of the Senate,” he said.
“The Green party and the Liberal Party have made that clear, so we’re dealing with the parliament we have.”
With new battlegrounds drawn, Mr Albanese said it was now up to the coalition to legitimize its position to the community if it opposed the amended programme.
“Right now they are defined by what they are against, but it is not clear what they are for,” he said.
“Of course, up to this point they have called for parliament to be recalled and then opposed.
“They demanded hate speech laws. When they see these, they now oppose them.”
Greens leader Larissa Waters said the minor party would not support the reforms in their original form, given the “significant amount of work required to meet community concerns”.
“But the Greens are willing to pass gun law reforms, in close consultation with gun safety advocates,” he said.
“If the government does the same, these changes may become law when parliament convenes next week.”
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley spoke out against the omnibus bill on Friday, calling it “quite unredeemable” because of its hate speech element, which does not explicitly criminalize phrases such as “globalising the Intifada”.
When asked whether the legislation would also specifically reference Islamophobia, he said “we’re not talking about that.”
“We’re talking about antisemitism, radical Islamic extremism and the rise of ISIS,” he told Nine’s Today programme.
Legal experts, Jewish groups and influential religious leaders also criticized the bill as too hasty and broad.
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