Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has introduced a series of technical amendments, which have been accepted by the government, aimed at refining the definition of a hate preacher and enhancing parliamentary oversight measures.

“The Australian covenant is that if people have any prejudice or hate, that’s left in the customs hall,” Ley declared in parliament.

The proposed changes will also bolster the powers of the home affairs minister, enabling them to revoke or deny visas to individuals promoting extremist ideologies.

“We are not interested in suppressing debate or the free exchange of ideas,” Ley explained to Sky News. “Our focus is on addressing the process of radicalisation and incitement to violence, which results in tragedies like this.”

It will also strengthen the home affairs minister’s ability to cancel or deny a person’s visa for expressing extremist ideology.

“We have no interest whatsoever in stifling debate and the public exchange of ideas … what we’re talking about is a process of radicalisation and incitement to violence, which culminates in massacres like this,” he told Sky News.

Potential ‘unintended consequences’