Albanese announces sweeping new hate laws

Prime minister Anthony Albanese has adopted the antisemitism envoy’s report in full and announced sweeping new hate speech laws, conceding the government “could have always done more” to combat antisemitism before Sunday’s Bondi Beach terror attack.

Speaking at a press conference in Canberra on Thursday, Albanese said it was clear the government needed to do “much more” to combat the “evil scourge” of antisemitism.

“Governments aren’t perfect. I’m not perfect,” Albanese said. “Could we have done more? Of course – you could always do more. Do I regret it? Anyone in this position would regret not doing more, and any inadequacies which are there.”

The comments mark the strongest concession from Albanese yet on the government’s response to rising antisemitism since October 7, 2023.

The government will introduce new legislation including an aggravated hate speech offence for preachers and leaders who promote violence, increased penalties for hate speech promoting violence, and making hate an aggravating factor in sentencing crimes for online threats and harassment.

The government will also develop a regime for listing organisations whose leaders engage in hate speech promoting violence or racial hatred, and develop a narrow federal offence for serious vilification based on race or advocating racial supremacy.

Home affairs minister Tony Burke will have new powers to cancel or reject visas for those who spread hate and division in Australia.

“For too long, there have been organisations which any Australian would look at and say their behaviour, their philosophy and what they are trying to do is about division and has no place in Australia. And yet, for a generation, no government has been able to successfully take action against them because they have fallen just below the legal threshold,” Burke said.

“Today, we’re announcing that we’re shifting the threshold. We have no time for organisations where their mission is to hate Australia and to hate fellow Australians.”

David Gonski will lead a 12-month taskforce including the special envoy to ensure the Australian education system prevents, tackles and properly responds to antisemitism.

Education minister Jason Clare said the taskforce would also include state and territory representatives and key regulators.

“Children aren’t born antisemitic. Children aren’t born racist. Children aren’t born with hate in their hearts. This is something that’s taught, this is something that’s learned,” Clare said.

The eSafety Commissioner, the special envoy and the communications minister will work together to provide online safety advice to address antisemitism.

Albanese also announced the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements would be triggered in response to the attack, marking the first time the DRFA has been used for a terrorist attack.

“The Commonwealth and New South Wales will share the financial burden of the recovery. This will provide support to victims, their families and small business impacted in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack,” he said.

Special envoy to combat antisemitism Jillian Segal said the formal response had been “a long time coming” but built on work that started as soon as the report was delivered.

“We stand, I think, at a very important moment, not only for our community but for fighting antisemitism around the world,” Segal said.

“I am encouraged by some of the medium-term actions that will take place over this next year relating to education. I think they are incredibly important. We have to lay foundations for the future of the nation.”

Australian Federal Police commissioner Krissy Barrett said a Bonnyrigg man had been charged with 59 offences including committing a terrorist act, 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder.

“I can also reveal the AFP has ongoing investigations into people who have been described as hate preachers. These individuals who spew hatred and cause fear are on my radar,” Barrett said.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said the measures appeared to reflect recommendations made repeatedly over the last two years.

“We are still burying our dead and processing our pain and grief, so a definitive response to the measures announced by the Prime Minister today will need to wait,” Aghion said.

“This suite of measures can only be regarded as a first step, but it is an essential one. We warned of the risk of not dealing with antisemitism in this country promptly and effectively after October 7. It is an absolute tragedy that it has taken a massacre of Jewish and other Australians for that step to be taken.”

Aghion said the prime minister had acknowledged that more could have been done to protect Jewish Australians.

“We agree. The history of antisemitism is that it can only be dealt with by prompt and effective leadership, and a strong response. Until today, that is what has been lacking,” he said.