Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed surprise at the Coalition’s critique regarding the swift timeline proposed for hate speech reform. The Prime Minister, however, remains committed to a message of “national unity” and encourages all parties to engage constructively in the legislative process.

Opposition figure Sussan Ley has claimed that her party was not consulted during the drafting of these reforms. In contrast, Prime Minister Albanese insists that he has had multiple discussions with key figures, including Ley, Greens leader Larissa Waters, and Wentworth MP Allegra Spender, whose constituency was directly affected by the attack.

Opposition leader Sussan Ley said the hate speech measures do not adequately address the rise of antisemitism. Source: AAP / Dominic Giannini

The prime minister’s remarks came hours after Opposition leader Sussan Ley labelled the laws “half-baked”, stating the government had “clumsily” tried to address antisemitism and the rise of extremism, but ultimately, “the laws achieve neither of these things”.

“It doesn’t address Islamic extremism. It doesn’t address [self-proclaimed Islamic State] influence. And it doesn’t address the rise of antisemitism and the terrorist threat in Australia.”

Peak Jewish group urges against ‘wholesale rejection’

She also criticised a proposed carve-out for preachers if directly quoting religious texts for the purposes of discussion or education.