Share and Follow
The Liberal party’s proposed measures are expected to involve a more rigorous approach to suppressing extremist religious leaders and harmful hate organizations.
Larissa Waters, leader of the Greens, has expressed concerns about the hate speech laws, arguing that they could suppress freedom of expression.
The Greens have announced they will not support the hate speech legislation, highlighting its potential impact on political discourse, including public demonstrations.
“I don’t believe that racist bigotry falls under the umbrella of free speech, I simply don’t,” he told ABC News.
According to the government’s plan, religious figures or spiritual leaders promoting or inciting violence against certain groups in their sermons or teachings could face up to 12 years in prison.
The Opposition is seeking an amendment that would require the Coalition leader to be consulted over the listing and delisting of extremist organisations, saying it was necessary to have a bipartisan approach to such national security issues.
Nationals senator Matt Canavan says he will not support the hate speech reforms. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
The Liberals want new powers reviewed every two years by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, tightened hate crime definitions and for new migration changes to be used decisively to remove extremists in the community.
“We also are sympathetic and want to lean into the intent of the banning of hate groups, but we’ve got to make sure there’s no unintended consequences in terms of the legislation, and how that interacts and how far-reaching that goes,” he told ABC’s 7:30 on Monday night.
“I’ve got serious concerns that the provisions here to ban entire organisations, make them persona non grata, are far too broad and give particularly the minister, the AFP minister in this case, way too much power to ban groups that go far and beyond organisations that would be encouraging or supporting violent acts in our country,” he told ABC radio on Tuesday morning.
Gun reforms to pass with Greens support
Burke explained how the implementation of the laws would have prevented licences for the two gunmen who opened fire near a Hannukah event in Bondi, killing 15 people.
