In brief
Following the tragic shooting at a Hanukkah event in Bondi Beach that resulted in 15 fatalities, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced comprehensive legislation aimed at combating hate speech and antisemitism. The new laws will empower the home affairs minister to revoke visas for individuals spreading hate, introduce penalties for hate-promoting leaders, and create a federal offense of aggravated hate speech. Albanese emphasized the need for a unified response to prevent division within the country, as police recently detained individuals amid rising tensions.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his government will crack down on hate speech following Sunday's deadly shooting at Bondi Beach that targeted a Jewish festival.
Fifteen people were killed when two gunmen opened fire at an event to mark the first day of Hanukkah.
New laws will target those who spread hate, division and radicalisation, Albanese told reporters in Canberra.
The home affairs minister will also be given new powers to cancel or refuse visas for those who spread hate, and a new taskforce will be set up to ensure the education system prevents, tackles and properly responds to antisemitism.
The new laws will also include penalties for preachers and leaders who promote violence, a new federal offence of aggravated hate speech, and the introduction of hate as an aggravating factor in sentencing crimes for online threats and harassment.
Every Jewish Australian has the right to feel safe, valued and respected for the contribution that they make to our great nation, Albanese said.
The terrorists, inspired by ISIS... sought to turn Australians against each other. Australians have responded to that act of hatred with love and sympathy for those in mourning.
Tensions have been high in the country since the shooting, with police detaining seven men in southwest Sydney after receiving a tip that a violent act was possibly being planned, New South Wales Police said in a statement.
Two cars were intercepted at George Street, police said. In videos shared by local media, armed officers appeared to detain people just hours after Albanese's speech.
Antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal said the country is at a critical moment for combating antisemitism globally.
Albanese stated his government will adopt the recommendations Segal presented in a July report aimed at addressing antisemitism, despite earlier criticisms over potential infringements on free speech.
The Jewish Council of Australia expressed support for the government's actions but raised concerns that some measures might echo long-standing proposals from pro-Israel groups rather than effectively addressing violent extremism.
Meanwhile, Albanese acknowledged past shortcomings in preventing antisemitism and emphasized the need for unity in a period of heightened division.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke noted the need to redefine the threshold for hate speech in Australia, aiming to make unacceptable language that dehumanizes individuals punishable.
Daniel Aghion, President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, expressed the need to evaluate these measures in detail.
We warned of the risk of not dealing with antisemitism in this country promptly after 7 October. It is an absolute tragedy that it has taken a massacre for that step to be taken, he said.
