Hate Speech Laws Will Be Introduced to Parliament

Pro-Palestinian supporters rally outside the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 9, 2023. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

The Australian government is working on hate speech laws with criminal penalties to punish those who vilify based on race, sexuality, gender, disability or religion.

Labor Communications Minister Michelle Rowland confirmed reports Attorney General Mark Dreyfus is working on such legislation on May 26.

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

Ms. Rowland shared her views on hate speech after the words “Jew die” were sprayed on the fence of the city’s biggest Jewish school, Mount Scopus Memorial College, leaving students terrified.

The communications minister expressed the government is keen to act on hate speech through both the attorney general and communications portfolios.

Commenting on the issue at the Jewish school, she said on Sky News: “I had a call from my best friend whose child goes to Saint Scopus. I’ve never had someone on the phone, a friend like that, so distressed about what’s happening.

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“She said, my grandparents and my husband’s grandparents fled the Holocaust and now we are here in Australia seeing this. It is completely unacceptable.”

Ms. Rowland said the Labor government is working to identify gaps based on evidence.

“We identify where there needs to be further penalties in place and where they need to be strengthened, and we’re determined to do that,” she said.

“This should be above politics.”

In response to questions on what the penalties will be, Ms. Rowland said she cannot reveal them at the moment but they are under active discussion as the government finalises the laws.

“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 said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has already called for tougher hate speech laws to stop anti-Semitism, amid the attacks on the Jewish community.

In January, the Coalition leader confirmed his party would support laws that improve hate speech laws.

“Not only should the government be strengthening the laws—for which I offer the federal Coalition’s full support—they should be reimbursing the Jewish community for legal action against these vile and repugnant attacks,” Mr. Dutton told The Australian in May.

Mr. Dutton expressed that it was time to take the issue seriously and the Jewish community should not have to foot the legal bill for actions that need to be taken by the government.

“Jewish community leaders should not have to plead for help to have the law enforced when their community is under siege.”

‘Death Threat’ Against Victorian Children

In the wake of the graffiti attack on the Melbourne school, Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) called for greater action from government.

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

He 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.”

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

Commenting on the incident, Ms. Henderson said the “ugly tide of anti-Semitic hate” and incitement in the community must stop.

“This requires moral courage and leadership. For instance, the Coalition trusts the prime minister will offer bipartisan support for a judicial inquiry into anti-Semitism at universities. Enough is enough,” Ms. Henderson said.

Zionism Victoria also said decisive action must be taken by the authorities to crack down on this inciting hatred against the Jewish population of Victoria.

“Our thoughts are with our former board member and current Scopus Principal Dan Sztrajt, as well as the entire Scopus community,” he said. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the graffiti, with the words “No place for this in Australia or anywhere else.”

He shared a post from federal Labor MP Josh Burns saying there is “no excuse for targeting Jewish schools, businesses or institutions.”

“This unacceptable graffiti at Mount Scopus college has no place in Australia. Everyone and every leader must call this out for what it is—blatant anti-Semitism,” Mr. Burns said.