Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled a sweeping set of reforms aimed at combating hate speech and extremist rhetoric, following a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi that left 15 people dead. Authorities say two gunmen opened fire at the outdoor festival on Sunday, targeting attendees gathered for the first night of the Jewish holiday.
Albanese said the attack, which police believe was inspired by ISIS ideology, underscored the need for stronger national protections against antisemitism and violent extremism. He described the new measures as a direct response to rising hate speech and community tensions since the Israel–Hamas war reignited in October.
Under the proposed laws, the home affairs minister would gain expanded powers to refuse or cancel visas for individuals who promote hatred or radicalisation. The government also plans to introduce a new federal offence of “aggravated hate speech,” along with penalties for religious or community leaders who incite violence.
A national taskforce will be established to ensure schools and universities are equipped to identify and respond to antisemitism. Albanese said the education sector must play a central role in preventing radicalisation and protecting vulnerable communities.
“Every Jewish Australian has the right to feel safe, valued and respected,” Albanese said in Canberra. “The terrorists sought to divide us. Australians have responded with unity, compassion and solidarity.”
The reforms draw heavily from recommendations made in July by Australia’s antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal, who joined the prime minister at the announcement. Segal said the country was at a “critical moment” in confronting antisemitism, which she described as rising both online and in public spaces.
Her earlier report, however, faced criticism from civil liberties groups and some academics who warned that its proposals risked restricting free expression. Concerns were raised that monitoring universities and tying funding to compliance could suppress legitimate political speech, including pro‑Palestinian activism.
The Jewish Council of Australia welcomed the government’s focus on gun reform and online hate but cautioned against adopting measures that mirror long‑standing proposals from pro‑Israel advocacy groups. The council warned that policies perceived as ideological policing could backfire and heighten community tensions.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the reforms would “shift the threshold” for what constitutes unlawful hate speech, closing gaps that extremists have exploited. He noted that some individuals had used Australia’s broad free‑speech protections to spread dehumanising rhetoric without technically inciting violence.
Albanese acknowledged criticism from Jewish leaders who said the government had been too slow to respond to rising antisemitism after the 7 October Hamas attack. He said more could have been done but emphasised his responsibility to “unite the nation, not divide it.”
Daniel Aghion, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said the community would reserve judgment until the full details of the legislation are released. He called the Bondi attack a “tragic reminder” of the consequences of failing to address antisemitism early and decisively.
The government is expected to introduce the legislation in early 2026, with bipartisan support likely to determine how quickly the reforms pass through Parliament.
