Sydney [Australia], December 19: Yesterday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced he would expand laws on hate speech and target those who spread hateful ideology, in an effort to combat antisemitism.
The Guardian quoted the leader as admitting that the Australian government could have done more to respond to the wave of anti-Semitic hatred before the Bondi Beach massacre in Sydney on December 14.
According to the five-point plan announced by Mr. Albanese, the Interior Minister will be given additional powers to revoke or refuse visas to individuals deemed to be spreading "hatred and division." The plan also includes ending or blocking funding for arts and research projects deemed to support "anti-Semitic activities," reinstating the proposed revocation of citizenship for dual citizens found to be involved in terrorist activities, and ceasing visa issuance to any individual from "territory of terrorism."
The plan also increases penalties for hate speech that incites violence, and considers hate motives as an aggravating circumstance at sentencing for online threats and harassment. In addition, Canberra will establish a mechanism to identify organizations whose leaders participate in hate speech, incitement to violence, or racial hatred. The Australian government is also creating a federal crime to address serious offenses related to race or the promotion of racial supremacy.
Opposition leader Sussan Ley urged Albanese to convene parliament next week to pass the new law before Christmas. While Prime Minister Albanese did not rule out the possibility of convening parliament to debate the new law, he stressed that the complex changes needed to be meticulously drafted in order to overcome legal challenges.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper