Parliament has just passed the toughest federal hate speech laws in Australia’s history.
Labor has been open that the legislation, introduced in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, is primarily aimed at tackling “hate groups” that promote antisemitism — and that revisiting the laws to include other minority groups is not a priority.
The legislation passed with Liberal Party support, though the Nationals, Greens and One Nation voted against it, citing various concerns around free speech.
Where did the laws land?
Labor’s draft legislation included a provision to criminalise the promotion or incitement of racial hatred, which was a recommendation of antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal and broadly supported by Jewish groups.
Despite calling for Ms Segal’s report to be implemented in full, various Coalition members raised concerns the draft bill would excessively impinge on free speech — a position shared by the Greens, constitutional lawyers and various faith leaders.
After both the Coalition and Greens rejected the new offence, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dumped it.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke this week said the government “would have liked the laws to be even stronger” but what has passed represented “the strongest hate laws Australia’s ever had”.
The laws grant powers for the government to list so-called hate groups, more easily deport or cancel the visas of individuals associated with hate groups, increase penalties for hate crime offences, and create new aggravated penalties for hate preachers and leaders who advocate violence.
Hellbound and Down 