Albanese announces new crackdown on hate, in sweeping initiatives to combat antisemitism |
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a suite of legislative and other action to combat antisemitism including new measures against hate speech and extra power to reject visas.
The package, unveiled after a meeting of cabinet’s national security committee on Thursday morning, comes after days of anger in the Jewish community, where many people feel the government has not done enough against antisemitism since the October 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas.
The legislative measures include:
an offence of aggravated hate speech 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........