AlbaneseS Hate speech Laws Face Collapse as Greens Join Opposition
Australia’s proposed legislation to combat hate speech is on the brink of failure as political support crumbles, threatening the government’s response to rising antisemitism following the Bondi attack.
Political support for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s new hate speech laws has evaporated, with the Greens announcing their intention to join the Coalition in opposing the Labor government’s reforms. The legislation, designed to curb antisemitism in the wake of the Bondi attack, is now facing an uncertain future.
“It’s clear that the amount of negotiations and legal analysis required to produce a good outcome can’t be done in the extremely tight timeframe the government has created,” Greens leader Larissa waters stated on Saturday. “It may be simpler to start afresh with a bill that aims to protect everyone from hatred and discrimination.”
The Greens are advocating for a broader scope of protection under the anti-vilification laws, extending beyond racial hatred – the initial focus prompted by the Bondi tragedy – to include protections for LGBTQ individuals and religious groups. This call for inclusivity reflects growing concerns that the current draft is too narrowly focused.
A diverse coalition of civil rights groups, legal experts, and openness advocates have voiced concerns that the bill was rushed through the legislative process, is overly broad in its scope, and could have a chilling effect on public discourse surrounding sensitive issues like terrorism and migration. Critics fear the legislation could stifle legitimate debate on topics that might inadvertently offend certain racial groups.
Adding to the complexity, the Greens have expressed concern that the Labor government intends to suppress the pro-Palestinian protest movement, specifically targeting chants such as “globalise the intifada” and “river to the sea.” The potential for these slogans to incite violence remains a subject of ongoing debate.
Ley announced plans to present an choice package of proposals to parliament next week, arguing that Labor’s current attempt is fundamentally flawed. The government, having recalled parliament for an early session, is under pressure to pass the reforms by Tuesday, requiring the support of either the Liberals or the Greens in the Senate.
Albanese has defended his plan as a direct response to widespread community outrage, acknowledging the engagement of both the Greens and teal MP for bondi, Allegra Spender, in shaping the reforms. “There were requests across the board, not just from parliamentarians, but from community members as well, for us to bring forward this action,” Albanese said on Friday. “[Greens leader] Larissa Waters has engaged constructively as the leader of the Greens, as has Allegra Spender.”
However, key stakeholders remain divided. Peter Wertheim, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and a close associate of the prime minister, urged bipartisan cooperation, emphasizing the need for Labor to address the Coalition’s request to remove a proposed religious text exemption from the draft law. “If this all falls over, it means we’re sending a signal to the world that we just had the worst terror attack in our history and we can’t decide what to do about it,” he warned.
Conversely, Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher, along with leaders from muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, and Scientology communities, co-signed a letter to Albanese on Friday, requesting that he shelve the anti-vilification laws altogether. The letter expressed concerns that the legislation could unduly restrict religious expression. “A rushed legislative process of this nature undermines confidence, increases the risk of unintended consequences, and does not assist community unity or social cohesion,” the letter stated.
The fate of the hate speech laws now hangs in the balance, highlighting the deep divisions within the Australian parliament and the challenges of crafting legislation that effectively addresses hate speech while safeguarding essential freedoms.
Mike Foley is the climate and energy correspondent for The Age and The Sydney Morning herald.
Nick Newling is a federal politics reporter for The sydney morning Herald and The Age.
