Australia to tighten hate speech laws after Sydney terror attack

The Australian government has made a number of changes to the law on incitement to hatred after the terrorist attack in Sydney. This was reported on December 18 by the Financial Times (FT) newspaper, citing a statement by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

"The Australians are shocked and angry. I'm angry. Obviously, we need to do more to combat this evil, much more. We're setting the bar. We don't have time for an organization whose mission is to hate Australia and its people," the newspaper quoted him as saying.

According to the newspaper, the government has proposed to tighten gun laws and make hate speech an aggravating circumstance. This fact will also be taken into account when sentencing for crimes related to online harassment, the newspaper notes.

In addition, the government plans to expand the powers of the Interior Ministry to cancel or reject visas for those who "sow hatred and division in the country, or will do so if they are allowed to come here." Changes to the legislation are likely to be introduced in 2026.

Red Sand: Mass murder took place on a beach in Sydney

At least ten people died as a result of the incident.

On December 14, terrorists opened fire on people near Bondi Beach in Sydney during an event dedicated to the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. It was noted that this incident qualifies as a terrorist act. According to the latest information, 16 people became victims.

New South Wales State Police announced on December 17 that one of the men involved in the shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Navid Akram, has been charged with 59 charges, including terrorism. The attack was carried out by two men, 50—year-old Sajid Akram, who was killed in a shootout with police, and his 24-year-old son Naveed. The latter was wounded and taken to a hospital in critical condition, where law enforcement officers charged him.

On the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the inability of the Australian authorities to effectively counter the growth of anti-Semitism against the background of the recent terrorist attack in Sydney, which occurred during the celebration of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Netanyahu stressed that the responsibility for ensuring the safety of Jewish communities lies with the state, and called on the Australian authorities to take immediate measures to curb terrorist manifestations.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.