Hate preachers to be targeted in tough new federal laws
Parliament will be called early to pass hate speech laws following the Bondi terror attack that killed 15 people and injured dozens.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the federal parliament will meet next Monday to debate a bill aimed at combating anti-Semitism, hate speech and extremism.
“This is a comprehensive reform package that creates serious criminal offenses for hate preachers and leaders who seek to radicalize young Australians,” Mr Albanese said on Monday.
The proposed legislation would increase penalties for hate crimes, ensure that extremist motives are taken into account in sentences, and create a new offense for inciting hatred with the intent to intimidate or harass.
It will also extend and strengthen the existing ban on banned Nazi symbols and make it easier for Home Secretary Tony Burke to cancel or refuse visas to people intent on spreading hatred.
“Let me be clear: when these laws pass, they will be the toughest hate laws Australia has ever seen,” Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said.
“They will specifically target those who want to spread hatred and disrupt social harmony in our society.”
Parliament will resume with a motion of condolence next Monday to commemorate the trauma of the Bondi attack and honor those at the scene and first responders for saving lives.
“This motion will unequivocally condemn the terrorist atrocity at Bondi Beach and task our parliament to stamp out the evil of anti-Semitism,” Mr Albanese said.
The bill would also create the National Gun Buyback Scheme, which would limit the number of firearms a person can own and make Australian citizenship a condition for holding a gun licence.
“The terrorists on Bondi Beach had hate on their minds but guns in their hands – this legislation will deal with both,” Mr Albanese said.
Peter Wertheim, co-chairman of the Executive Council of Australian Jews, said current laws “fall well short of society’s expectations and leave society vulnerable to appalling forms of hate speech”.
“The concerns we have expressed for years have become particularly acute since the horrific events at Bondi Beach on 14 December,” he said.
“Incidents like this make all Australians unsafe, not just those targeted.
“We welcome the government’s announcement of plans to address these issues in the near future.”
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