The federal government has unveiled tough new hate laws in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing penalties of up to 15 years’ imprisonment for people who organise or support prescribed hate groups.
Under the proposed reforms, the government would gain new powers to designate hate groups that do not meet existing terrorist thresholds.
Promoting or inciting racial hatred would attract sentences of up to five years, with harsher penalties where children or religious figures are involved.
Albanese also declared a national day of mourning on January 22, with flags flown at half-mast.
“This will have a theme of light… a gathering of unity and remembrance,” he said.
The legislation focuses on race, ethnicity and national origin, with Jewish Australians protected as an ethno-religious group.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said: “Our focus is on combating antisemitism, and that’s what this package of reforms seek to do.”
The omnibus bill also includes gun reforms, with a proposed national buyback scheme and tighter import and ownership rules. Albanese rejected calls to split the legislation.
“The terrorists at Bondi Beach had hatred in their minds, but guns in their hands, and this bill will get rid of both of those issues,” he said.
Source: The New Daily
