Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is making a last-ditch effort to secure bipartisan backing for sweeping new hate speech laws, after failing to win support from either the Coalition or the Greens. The government’s proposed legislation, which comes in the wake of the December 14 terror attack at a Bondi Beach Hanukkah event that claimed 15 lives, is set for debate in Canberra on Monday.
Albanese, speaking to reporters in Brisbane on Friday, emphasized that his government remains open to amendments to ensure the bill passes. “The parties of government should be supporting this across the board,” he said. He added that he was ready to respond to any suggested changes, urging the Coalition to clarify its position.
“At the moment this is like trying to grab smoke, trying to get an arrangement with the coalition,” Albanese said. “I say to the coalition, if you can let me know now what they are prepared to vote for, I will respond to any question people have, because at the moment I am not sure what it is, and I don’t think they know either.”
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has repeatedly criticized the process, saying the government had failed to consult properly and that the draft bill is “pretty unsalvageable” in its current form. She has also questioned the timing, suggesting the legislation is being rushed and falls short of effectively addressing antisemitism and Islamic extremism.
The Greens, led by Larissa Waters, oppose the bill in its current form as well, arguing that it should be expanded to protect other marginalized groups, including people with disabilities, LGBTQ communities, and followers of other religions. The support of either the Coalition or the Greens is necessary for the bill to pass the Senate, making negotiation critical.
A group of independent MPs, including Allegra Spender, whose electorate encompasses Bondi Beach, has urged cross-party collaboration. In a joint statement, the independents—also including Monique Ryan and Zali Steggall—called on parliamentarians to negotiate in good faith to deliver concrete action. “We can’t afford to wait any longer,” they said.
Legal experts, Jewish organizations, and religious leaders have raised concerns that the bill is being rushed and too broad in scope. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry, however, has encouraged the Coalition to vote in favor of the legislation. Meanwhile, the Australia Israel and Jewish Affairs Council submitted to the parliamentary inquiry that it supports a “short delay” to allow for further review and refinement, recommending that firearm provisions be separated from hate speech measures to prevent disagreements over gun reform from blocking the broader legislation.
The proposed bill includes several key measures: stricter penalties for hate preachers, the introduction of hate speech and racial vilification offences, and a national gun buyback scheme. The Nationals have already indicated their opposition to gun reforms, citing concerns from farmers.
Coalition members are scheduled to meet virtually on Friday afternoon to discuss their concerns and provide feedback on the party’s stance. On the government side, Labor Senator Raff Ciccone, chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, is drafting the committee’s report while attempting to maintain the tradition of bipartisanship. A Labor caucus meeting is also planned for Monday morning ahead of the parliamentary debate.
As tensions rise, Albanese’s government faces a delicate balancing act: responding to national security concerns and the tragic Bondi Beach attack while navigating a complex political landscape to secure the necessary support in a deeply divided parliament. The coming days in Canberra will be crucial for determining whether Australia can implement new hate speech laws without delay or further compromise.
