Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced sweeping new laws targeting hate speech and radicalisation after the tragic Bondi Beach shooting during a Jewish Hanukkah festival, which left 15 people dead. The government’s measures aim to curb online and offline hate, improve community safety, and strengthen responses to antisemitism.

New Hate Speech Laws

Speaking in Canberra, Albanese said the new legislation would focus on “those who spread hate, division and radicalisation”. Key elements of the proposed laws include:

• Creation of a federal offence of “aggravated hate speech”
• Penalties for preachers or community leaders promoting violence
• Introduction of “hate” as an aggravating factor in sentencing for online threats and harassment
• Expanded powers for the Home Affairs Minister to cancel or refuse visas for individuals promoting hate

“Every Jewish Australian has the right to feel safe, valued and respected for the contribution that they make to our great nation,” Albanese said. “The terrorists, inspired by ISIS… sought to turn Australians against each other. Australians have responded to that act of hatred with love and sympathy for those in mourning.”

A new taskforce will also be established to ensure that Australia’s education system prevents, tackles, and properly responds to antisemitism.

Alignment with Antisemitism Report

The Prime Minister confirmed that the government would adopt recommendations from a July report by antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal, who also attended the press briefing. Segal described the moment as critical for combating antisemitism in Australia and globally.

However, her report had previously drawn criticism over concerns it could limit freedom of speech, including proposals to monitor universities and arts organisations and withhold funding from institutions deemed ineffective in combating antisemitism. Critics warned this could inadvertently suppress legitimate political debate, such as pro-Palestinian activism.

Responses from the Jewish Community

The Jewish Council of Australia welcomed Albanese’s commitment to action, especially his emphasis on gun reform and online hate, but expressed caution.

“If education initiatives like university scorecards become a form of ideological policing – particularly where they are used to limit legitimate criticism of Israel – they will only make Jews less safe, and do the opposite of combating antisemitism,” said Dr Max Kaiser, executive officer of the Council.

Daniel Aghion, President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, noted that details would be crucial to assess whether the new measures would be effective.

“We warned of the risk of not dealing with antisemitism in this country promptly and effectively after 7 October. It is an absolute tragedy that it has taken a massacre of Jewish and other Australians for that step to be taken.”

Government Accountability and Public Safety

Albanese acknowledged criticism that his government had not done enough to tackle antisemitism following the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel. He took responsibility while emphasizing unity:

“I accept my responsibility for the part in that as prime minister of Australia. But what I also do is accept my responsibility to lead the nation and unite the nation. Because what people are looking for at this time isn’t more division.”

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke added that the government was “shifting the threshold” on hate speech, targeting language that is dehumanizing or unacceptable but stops short of violence.