Government to consider widening hate-speech protections to LGBTQ+ and religious groups

The federal government will consider extending legal protections to religious groups, people with a disability and LGBTQ+ Australians after new hate speech laws drafted in the wake of the Bondi Beach shootings pass parliament. Parliament will sit on Monday and Tuesday next week to debate a bill that includes new hate speech and anti‑vilification laws, powers to formally designate groups as proscribed organisations, and provisions for the largest gun buy‑back scheme since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.

The legislation being debated is expected to give protections against antisemitic rhetoric targeting Australian Jews, as well as other race groups including the Sikh community. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: "On broader issues, what we intend to do is to have a process to look at other areas of hate speech.

If the legislation is carried by the Parliament, that will be referred to a process going forward." Health minister Mark Butler has flagged protections for other characteristics including disability, gender and sexuality. Independent MP Allegra Spender said she plans to move amendments to extend the bill: "I am pleased the government is considering further reform but disappointed their proposals are confined to race.

Key Topics

Politics, Federal Government, Bondi Beach Shootings, Combatting Antisemitism Bill, Anthony Albanese, Allegra Spender