Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled major reforms to combat hate speech, division and radicalisation following the Bondi Beach terror attack.
Speaking from Canberra on Thursday, Albanese announced that the National Security Committee has approved five sweeping changes to address hate-driven violence in Australia.
The measures include a new aggravated hate speech offence targeting preachers and community leaders who incite violence, as well as tougher penalties for hate speech that actively encourages violent acts.
Hate will also become an aggravating factor in sentencing for online threats and harassment, ensuring offenders face stiffer consequences.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke will lead the push for stronger federal hate crime laws, including the creation of a new vilification offence, a longstanding demand from Australia’s Jewish community.
As part of the reforms, Burke will be granted expanded powers to cancel or refuse visas for individuals spreading anti-Jewish hate, while a new system will be introduced to formally list and target extremist groups, such as Islamist organisation Hizb-ut Tahrir.
UNSW chancellor David Gonski has been appointed to a 12-month taskforce alongside anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal to address rising anti-Semitism across Australian universities.
Australians are ‘shocked and angry,’ Albanese said.
New laws to crackdown on hate preachers and antisemitism were announced on Thursday
‘I am angry. It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge. Much more.’
Among the new laws, aggravated hate speech offences will be aimed at religious and community leaders who promote violence.
Penalties for hate speech that encourages violence will be sharply increased, sending a firm message that incitement will no longer be tolerated.
Courts will now treat hate as an aggravating factor when sentencing for crimes related to online threats and harassment, leading to stricter punishments.
A formal framework will be established for publicly listing organisations whose leaders incite racial hatred or violence, effectively naming and shaming extremist groups.
In addition, a narrowly defined federal offence for serious racial vilification or advocating racial supremacy will be introduced to close current legal gaps.
Burke will also be given more powers to cancel and reject visas for those advocating hatred.
Burke said he would prioritise tackling hate preachers who spread extremist Islamic views.
Krissy Barrett (pictured) said officers are investigating hate preachers promoting violence
‘We have seen vision of hate preachers and we are shocked that it is happening in Australia,’ he said.
‘It is not representative of what people are expecting and are not representative of the Muslim community.’
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett revealed officers are already investigating leaders promoting violence.
‘The AFP has ongoing investigations into people who have been described as hate preachers,’ she said.
‘These individuals who spew hatred and cause fear are on my radar, and I have had the counter-terrorism and special investigations command reviewing information and other material in relation to these individuals since I became the commissioner.’
Albanese hit back at criticism that his government failed to protect Jewish Australians after the October 7 terror attack in Israel.
‘There is always more that can be done, always,’ he said. ‘It’s clear there’s more to do, and beyond these announcements, we will do even more.’
Albanese stopped short of confirming whether Parliament will be recalled before its scheduled February sitting to fast-track the new laws.
