Australia's hate speech laws to tighten after Bondi attack

Anthony Albanese has announced a significant expansion of Australia's hate speech laws following the deadly terrorist attack on Sydney's Jewish community at Bondi Beach on Sunday.

- MAROOSHA MUZAFFAR

Speaking after a meeting of the National Security Committee, the Australian prime minister outlined a suite of legislative and policy changes aimed at lowering the threshold for prosecuting hate speech, particularly targeting religious preachers and organisational leaders who incite violence or racial hatred.

The reforms come amid mounting criticism that the government failed to act decisively as antisemitism surged in Australia after the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, and Israel’s subsequent ground invasion of Gaza.

“Governments aren’t perfect. I’m not perfect,” Mr Albanese said when a reporter asked why his government didn’t do more to combat antisemitism. “Look, of course more could have always been done,” he added. “I have done my best to respond... Anyone in this position would regret not doing more, and any inadequacies which are there. But what we need to do is to move forward.”