Jewish leaders urge compromise after Labor pauses vilification elements of hate speech bill

Jewish leaders have warned that their community remains at risk from the promotion of antisemitic hatred and urged a last-minute compromise after Labor agreed to split draft hate speech laws ahead of a special sitting of parliament. After Anthony Albanese split the bills introduced following the Bondi Beach terror attack, gun control measures, immigration powers and a scheme to designate extremist organisations are set to pass with Greens support, while the more controversial vilification and intimidation provisions were put on hold because of opposition from both left and right.

Peter Wertheim, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said he was "disappointed there will not be a serious vilification offence" and warned of the message that would send about criminalising the deliberate promotion of racial hatred. The government’s package includes what the source described as the biggest buyback since the Port Arthur massacre, tougher rules on gun importations, new offences for online material related to the manufacture of firearms and explosives, and requirements for intelligence agencies including Asio to conduct background checks for firearms licences.

The government would also gain powers to ban groups including neo-Nazi organisations and Hizb ut-Tahrir, and to revoke or refuse visas for people with extremist views.

Key Topics

Politics, Jewish Leaders, Anthony Albanese, Hate Speech Laws, Bondi Beach Attack, Asio