The Australian government's contentious reforms to national hate speech legislation appear doomed to fail in parliament, with both the Coalition and the Greens announcing their opposition to the draft bill. The proposed laws, crafted in response to last December's Bondi Beach massacre, lack the crossbench support needed to pass.
Greens and Coalition Unite in Opposition
Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi declared her party would not support the bill in its current form, warning it risked undermining civil liberties and could have unintended consequences. Speaking to reporters in Canberra on Thursday, she argued that the legacy of the horrific violence in Bondi must not be the erosion of political and human rights.
Senator Faruqi emphasised that the proposed legislation was overly broad and complex, requiring thorough scrutiny. She insisted that any changes to hate speech protections must address all forms of discrimination, not solely focus on anti-Semitism as the government intends. "Otherwise you're not actually going towards social cohesion," she stated, adding that a narrow focus "actually causes more division as people feel targeted and marginalised."
Her colleague, Senator David Shoebridge, confirmed the Greens were continuing discussions with Labor but would not be "trapped" by the government's accelerated timetable to pass the bill next week. He blamed the rushed schedule on pressure from the Coalition.
Government's Timetable Under Fire
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese maintained that urgent passage of the laws was crucial for national unity. "What I want to do is fight for our national interest and fight for our national unity. That's my priority," he told reporters in Queensland. He criticised the opposition for dismissing the legislation without proper examination.
However, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley was scathing in her assessment, labelling the draft "pretty unsalvageable" and a clumsy effort to combat anti-Semitism. She announced the Coalition would formally oppose the bill when parliament resumes, arguing it would create confusion for police and courts rather than clear offences.
The draft legislation aims to crack down on hate preachers, increase penalties for hate speech, and establish a national gun buy-back scheme. This follows an incident where two Islamic-inspired shooters killed 15 people at a Hanukkah event.
Stakeholder Reactions and Next Steps
Barnaby Joyce, now with One Nation, said his party would also reject the bill, claiming it would unfairly punish recreational shooters. In contrast, Peter Wertheim, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, urged the opposition to support the bill and seek amendments rather than wholesale rejection.
With the combined opposition of the Greens and the Coalition, the government is forced back to the negotiating table. A report on the reforms is due on Friday, with parliamentary debate scheduled to begin on Monday. The political impasse suggests a major rewrite will be necessary for the legislation to have any chance of success.
