Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a major crackdown on hate speech following a deadly shooting at Bondi Beach that claimed 15 lives during a Jewish festival.
The attack occurred on Sunday during the first day of Hanukkah, when two gunmen opened fire on attendees. Authorities have classified the incident as an act of terrorism motivated by extremist ideology.
Speaking in Canberra, Albanese said his government would introduce new legislation targeting individuals who “spread hate, division and radicalisation” across Australia.
Under the proposed measures, the Home Affairs Minister will gain expanded powers to cancel or refuse visas for individuals found promoting hate. A new national taskforce will also be established to ensure Australia’s education system “prevents, tackles and properly responds to antisemitism.”
The legislative package will include penalties for religious preachers and community leaders who incite violence, create a new federal offence of “aggravated hate speech,” and classify hate as an aggravating factor in sentencing for online threats and harassment.
“Every Jewish Australian has the right to feel safe, valued and respected for the contribution they make to our great nation,” Albanese said. He added that the attackers, inspired by Islamic State, sought to divide Australians. “Yet Australians have responded to this act of hatred with love and sympathy for those in mourning,” he said.
Albanese confirmed that the government would adopt recommendations from a July report by antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal, who also addressed the press conference. Segal described the moment as critical not only for Australia’s Jewish community but for the global fight against antisemitism.
However, civil liberties groups and activists have voiced concerns, warning that some measures could restrict free speech. Critics highlighted proposals to monitor universities and arts organisations and potentially withhold funding if they fail to address antisemitism, fearing these could be used to suppress pro-Palestinian protests.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the government aims to lower the threshold for intervention. “There have been individuals who exploited freedom of speech principles to spread dehumanising and unacceptable language that has no place in Australia, without crossing the line into violence,” he explained.
Albanese also acknowledged criticism from Jewish leaders that his government had not done enough to counter rising antisemitism following the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel, admitting that more action should have been taken.
“I accept my responsibility for that as prime minister,” he said. “But I also accept my responsibility to lead and unite the nation, because what people are looking for now is not more division.”
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