Hate Speech Laws Against Anti-Semitism Could Receive Coalition Backing

Labor Party is drafting laws against vilifying based on race, sexuality, gender, disability or religion.

Police look on as participants of a Free Palestine rally react outside the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 9, 2023. AAP Image/Dean Lewins

The Liberal National Party Coalition is signalling potential support for “hate speech” laws to deal with anti-Semitism in the community.

This comes after the Labor Party confirmed it is working on laws to punish those who vilify based on race, sexuality, gender, disability or religion.

Shadow Immigration Minister Dan Tehan said the Coalition will work with the government on hate speech laws that deal with anti-Semitism.

“We look forward to working with the government in a bipartisan way to deal with this issue and, in particular, to deal with anti-Semitism, which we’re seeing sadly grow and grow in this nation,” Mr. Tehan told reporters in Canberra.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton called for stronger hate speech laws to deal with anti-Semitism back in January to help the Jewish community.

Attorney General Mark Dreyfus is responsible for drafting the new legislation and is still finalising the details, according to Communications Minister Michelle Rowland.

Ms. Rowland said the penalties are “under active discussion” as the government finalises the laws, although she was not able to say if it includes jail.

“I cannot reveal that because we’re under active discussion at the moment, but I will say that the area of penalties is one that is being examined very closely in terms of ensuring that these laws are effective,” Ms. Rowland told Sky News. 

The minister added the government will not tolerate “hatred or abuse” on the basis of people’s race or religion.

Discussion on the hate speech laws comes after the words “Jew die” were sprayed on the fence of Melbourne’s biggest Jewish school, Mount Scopus Memorial College.

The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) called for greater action from government in the wake of the incident.

President Philip Zajac said the death threat graffitied on the school fence had left the community devastated and in shock, adding, “we cannot let this behaviour continue.”

Mr. Zajac said the JCCV has been warning government, police, and other leaders for months that anti-Semitic hate is becoming “normalised” in Australia.

“That message has not been heeded and look where we are today. This graffiti cannot be seen as anything other than a death threat against Victorian children on the basis of their faith and culture,” he said.

“It is time for clear action—increase penalties for serious vilification, lower the barrier for prosecution and take steps to prevent hate from continuing to thrive.”

Shadow Education Minister Sarah Henderson described the graffiti attack on Australia’s largest Jewish school as “sickening.”

She said the “ugly tide of anti-Semitic hate” and incitement in the community must stop.

Minister Concerned With Both Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia

Meanwhile, Labor Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said he is concerned about the increasing level of both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

“Unfortunately, what we’re seeing is both extreme ends of this debate, politicising what’s happening in Gaza right now, promoting hate speech,” Mr. Conroy said on 2HD. 

“And unfortunately, it’s people in our community who are suffering, whether it’s the Jewish community or the Islamic community, both are subject to outrageous attacks, and we just call for national unity, people to be conscious about their language, to be moderate.”