US Official, Jewish, and Muslim Groups Raise Concern About Australia’s Impending Anti-Hate Bill

The broad bill is the Albanese government’s main response to the Bondi terror attack and covers hate speech to the national gun buyback scheme.

Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism in Australia Jillian Siegel listens to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speak to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Jan. 8, 2026. AAP Image/Lukas Coch

The Albanese government’s hastily-drafted “Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026” has been met with a broad array of criticism, with conservative politicians, the U.S. undersecretary of state, Jewish, and Muslim groups uniting to criticise it.

The new omnibus-style law was drawn up in the wake of the Bondi Beach terrorist mass shooting attack that targeted a Jewish celebration, killing 15 people and injuring 40 others.