Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a crackdown on hate speech and radicalisation after a mass shooting at a Jewish festival in Bondi, Sydney. Photo / Getty Images
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a crackdown on hate speech and radicalisation after a mass shooting at a Jewish festival in Bondi, Sydney. Photo / Getty Images
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today promised a sweeping crackdown on hate, division, and radicalisation after a mass shooting killed 15 people at a Jewish festival on Bondi Beach.
“Australians are shocked and angry. I am angry. It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge,much more,” Albanese told a news conference.
The Prime Minister outlined a suite of measures to target extremist preachers, impose stiffer punishments, and refuse or cancel visas for people who spread “hate and division”.
As he spoke, mourners gathered for the funeral of a 10-year-old girl among those gunned down while celebrating Hanukkah on Sunday at Sydney’s iconic beach.
Critics in the Jewish Australian community and beyond have assailed the Prime Minister for not doing more to protect them from rising anti-Semitism.
Valentyna (centre), the mother of 10-year-old Matilda, who was killed in the December 14 Bondi Beach shooting attack, after the funeral service in Sydney. Photo / AFP
New “aggravated hate speech” laws will punish preachers and leaders stoking hatred and violence, Albanese said.
He vowed harsher penalties, too.
Australia would develop a regime for listing organisations with leaders who engage in hate speech, he said.
