(Canberra, January 14, 2026) – Australia’s Labor government faces a potential setback to its proposed new laws aimed at combating hate speech, as it seeks support from the Greens party amid opposition from the Coalition.
Australia’s proposed legislation to criminalize inciting hatred is stalled in parliament,requiring support from the Greens after the Coalition signaled its opposition.
- The Labor government’s hate speech bill is facing difficulty passing through parliament.
- The Greens party holds a key position in securing the bill’s passage.
- The Coalition is backing away from supporting the Labor government’s proposed reforms, including those related to gun control.
- Concerns have been raised that the bill’s wording could inadvertently provide a guide for hate preachers.
The Labor government’s efforts to pass legislation criminalizing inciting hatred are currently stalled, requiring the support of the Greens to proceed, according to The Australian, have raised concerns that the bill’s current wording may inadvertently offer guidance to those who seek to preach hate.
The proposed legislation also raises questions about the potential impact on social media posts, with some arguing they could fall foul of the new hate speech laws, as noted by The Sydney Morning Herald.
Time.news based this report in part on reporting by The Australian, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, The Sydney Morning Herald, AFR and added independent analysis and context.
