The Australian Government has announced a significant expansion of laws and national security measures to combat antisemitism following the Bondi Beach terrorist attack that killed 15 people and injured dozens on December 14.
The Prime Minister said the attack targeted Australia’s Jewish community and represented a broader act of terrorism against Australian society. He confirmed the government has adopted all 13 recommendations from the report delivered by Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Gillian Siegel and will proceed with full implementation.
New legislative reforms will be developed by the Attorney-General and Minister for Home Affairs. These include the creation of an aggravated hate speech offence for preachers and leaders who promote violence, increased penalties for hate speech that incites violence, and provisions making hate an aggravating factor in sentencing for online threats and harassment.
The government will also establish a regime to list organisations whose leaders promote hate speech or racial violence, and introduce a narrow federal offence for serious racial vilification and advocacy of racial supremacy. The Minister for Home Affairs will be given additional powers to cancel or refuse visas for individuals who spread hatred or would be likely to do so if allowed to enter Australia.
The Prime Minister also announced the establishment of a 12-month Education Task Force, chaired by David Gonski and including the Special Envoy, to address antisemitism across early childhood, school and tertiary education. The task force will report to the government and work with states, territories and education regulators.
Special Envoy Gillian Siegel said the measures represented an important next step in addressing antisemitism and noted that education and online safety would be central to long-term prevention efforts.
Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett confirmed a man has been charged with 59 offences in relation to the Bondi Beach attack, including one count of committing a terrorist act, 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder. Further search warrants will be executed as investigations continue with domestic and international partners.
Deputy Commissioner Barrett also said the AFP is conducting ongoing investigations into individuals identified as hate preachers and is reviewing intelligence related to hate-based extremism.
The government confirmed disaster recovery funding arrangements have been triggered for the first time in response to a terrorist attack, allowing the Commonwealth and New South Wales to jointly provide financial assistance to victims, families and affected small businesses.
Further announcements on the government’s response, including measures related to firearms regulation, are expected in coming days.
