Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Thursday that his government would move to crack down on antisemitism and increase visa oversight following last weekend’s Bondi Beach terrorist attack targeting Jewish people observing Hanukkah.
The Australian government, which is led by Albanese’s leftist Labor Party, is set to adopt a plan that was first proposed in July to go after people spreading “hate, division, and radicalization,” The Guardian reported. The proposal would give Australia’s Department of Home Affairs more power “to cancel or reject visas for those who spread hate and division.”
The plan would also create a “new aggravated hate speech” charge for religious preachers and leaders who promote violence and would develop a list of organizations led by people who engage in violent rhetoric or promote racial hatred.
“Every Jewish Australian has the right to feel safe, valued and respected for the contribution that they make to our great nation,” Albanese said at a press conference. He added, “The terrorists, inspired by ISIS … sought to turn Australians against each other.”
Albanese has been criticized by many in Australia’s Jewish community for ignoring the rise in threats toward Jewish people since Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel more than two years ago. After Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, put forward a plan earlier this year to address antisemitism and “hate speech,” Albanese was accused of ignoring the proposal and failing to push back against antisemitism following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack. On Thursday, Albanese acknowledged that criticism from the Jewish community over his earlier inaction was valid.
“I accept my responsibility for the part in that as prime minister of Australia,” he said. “But what I also do is accept my responsibility to lead the nation and unite the nation. Because what people are looking for at this time isn’t more division.”
The Australian government’s proposal to crack down on “hate speech” has drawn opposition from critics who argue it would further encroach on free speech. In the wake of last weekend’s antisemitic mass shooting, Australian leaders have renewed calls for “tougher gun laws,” with Albanese announcing another gun buyback plan on Friday to “get guns off our streets.”
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“If you’re not a farmer, you’re not involved in agriculture, why do you need these massive weapons that put the public in danger and make life dangerous and difficult for New South Wales Police?” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns asked.
The suspected gunmen who killed 15 people and wounded dozens more on Sydney’s popular Bondi Beach were inspired by ISIS, according to Australian authorities. Sajid and Naveed Akram, a father and son, are accused of targeting Jewish people. Naveed, who has been charged with terrorism, was on the Australian government’s radar over suspected ties to ISIS in 2019. Still, authorities at the time ultimately said there “was no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence.”
Sajid, who was killed by police in the shooting, moved to Australia from India in 1998, and his children were all born in Australia, according to police. Since moving to Australia 27 years ago, Sajid had traveled to India just six times, and his family in India said they had “no knowledge of his radical mindset or activities,” according to officials.