Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a major legislative crackdown on hate speech and radicalization in the wake of Sunday’s mass shooting at Bondi Beach, which targeted a Jewish Hanukkah celebration and left 15 people dead.
Speaking in Canberra, Albanese said the new laws would target “those who spread hate, division and radicalisation.” Key measures include:
- Creating a new federal offence of “aggravated hate speech.”
- Introducing “hate” as an aggravating factor in sentencing for online threats and harassment.
- Imposing penalties on religious or community leaders who promote violence.
- Granting the Home Affairs Minister new powers to cancel or refuse visas for individuals who disseminate hate.
- Establishing a new taskforce to ensure the education system “prevents, tackles and properly responds to antisemitism.”
“Every Jewish Australian has the right to feel safe, valued and respected,” Albanese stated. “The terrorists, inspired by ISIS… sought to turn Australians against each other. Australians have responded to that act of hatred with love and sympathy.”
The government will also fully adopt the recommendations from a July report by antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal.
That report had drawn criticism over potential free speech implications, including proposals to monitor universities and arts organizations and withhold funding if they fail to address antisemitism—a measure some feared could silence pro-Palestinian advocacy.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke framed the shift as a necessary adjustment to long-held principles. “There have been individuals who have managed to exploit a nation that had different principles of freedom of speech… having no place in Australia, but have not quite crossed the threshold to violence,” he said.
Albanese acknowledged accusations that his government had not done enough to combat rising antisemitism since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
“I accept my responsibility for the part in that as Prime Minister of Australia,” he said. “But what I also do is accept my responsibility to lead the nation and unite the nation. Because what people are looking for at this time isn’t more division.”
By James Kisoo
