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Recent developments from a National Security Committee meeting have set the stage for significant policy shifts aimed at curbing hate speech. These changes would specifically target hate preachers, empowering the Home Affairs minister with the authority to deny or revoke visas for individuals who promote hatred and division within the country.
Addressing the media in Canberra this morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the government’s firm stance against antisemitism. “Antisemitism has no place in Australia; it is a destructive force that undermines the very fabric of our nation,” he declared.
Albanese further stressed the threat such ideologies pose to Australia’s cherished values of peace, freedom, and equality, underscoring the urgent need for action to preserve these principles.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy, building upon a comprehensive report submitted by antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal to the federal government in July. The report includes a detailed 49-point plan aimed at combating antisemitism across the nation.
“The Australian government adopts and fully supports this plan to tackle antisemitism,” Albanese assured, signaling a robust commitment to addressing this pressing issue.
“We have already legislated for hate speech, hate crimes, hate symbols, outlawing doxing.
“We’ve already undertaken education action, including appointing the first-ever student ombudsman and the development of the envoy’s report card on universities.
“We’ll continue to work through the implementation of the 13 recommendations, in consultation with the Jewish community and the envoy.
“Of course, the first recommendation was the adoption of the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) definition of antisemitism that the government adopted.”
Albanese announced five additional actions to build on the plan, including:
- Aggravated hate speech offence for preachers and leaders who promote violence
- Increased penalties for hate speech, promoting violence
- Making hate an aggravating factor in sentencing crimes for online threats and harassment
- Developing a regime for listing organisations whose leaders engage in hate speech, promoting violence or racial hatred
- Developing a narrow federal offence for serious vilification based on race and or advocating racial supremacy.
“We have seen a series of appalling attacks targeting Australia’s Jewish community that culminated on Sunday in one of the worst acts of mass murder that this country has ever seen,” Albanese said.
“The terrorist atrocity that killed 15 innocent people, including 10-year-old Matilda, who will be buried later today, was an attack on our Jewish community, but it was also an attack on the Australian way of life.
“Australians are shocked and angry, I am angry, it is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge, much more.”
