Australian PM announces tough new hate-speech laws

New Delhi, Dec 18: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a sweeping crackdown on hate speech and extremism following Sunday’s deadly shooting at Bondi Beach, which targeted a Jewish festival marking the first day of Hanukkah.

BBC reported that 15 people were killed when two gunmen opened fire at the event, described as a terrorist attack. Speaking to reporters in Canberra, Albanese said his government would introduce new laws aimed at “those who spread hate, division and radicalisation”.

The measures will also expand the powers of the home affairs minister to cancel or refuse visas to individuals who promote hate, the BBC reported.

The government will establish a new taskforce to ensure the education system “prevents, tackles and properly responds to antisemitism”.

Legislative changes will include penalties for preachers and community leaders who promote violence, the creation of a new federal offence of “aggravated hate speech”, and the recognition of “hate” as an aggravating factor in sentencing for crimes involving 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.

He said that the attackers had sought “to turn Australians against each other”, but that the country had responded “with love and sympathy for those in mourning”.

Albanese confirmed that the government would “fully support and adopt” recommendations made in a July report by Australia’s antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal, who also addressed the media.

Segal said the nation was at “a very important moment not only for our community, but for fighting antisemitism around the world”.

The report, however, drew criticism when it was released, with opponents warning it could have implications for free speech. Concerns were raised about proposals to monitor universities and arts organisations and withhold funding if they were found to have failed to act against antisemitism, potentially affecting pro-Palestinian protests.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the government was “shifting the threshold” for intervention.

“There have been individuals who have exploited Australia’s principles of free speech by pushing language that is clearly dehumanising and unacceptable, yet stopping just short of violence,” he said.