Australia Announces Tougher Hate Speech Laws After Bondi Terror Attack
By Kelly-Anne Taylor
Measures include stronger penalties for promoting violence and a new hate speech offence targeting religious preachers.
Australia will significantly strengthen hate speech laws after the terror attack at Bondi Beach.
The proposed measures would see stronger penalties for promoting violence, a new hate-speech offence targeting religious preachers and powers to cancel or reject visas of those who spread “hate and division”.
Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, announced the measures on Thursday, in the wake of the mass shooting on Sunday and after days of mounting pressure to stamp out anti-Semitism in the country.
Sajid Akram, 50, and his son, Naveed Akram, 24, allegedly opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at the nation’s most famous beach, killing 15 people and injuring 40.
Sajid Akram was shot and killed by police at the scene. Authorities have alleged the shooting appears to have been inspired by Islamic State.
Naveed Akram was investigated by Australia’s spy agency in 2019 over concerns he had been radicalised by an IS leader.
After six months, it was concluded he was not an “imminent threat” to the public.
Akram has been charged with 59 offences over the attack. Along with 15 counts of murder, he is accused of 40 counts of causing grievous bodily harm to a person with intent to murder, discharging a firearm intending to cause grievous bodily harm, a public display of a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol and placing an explosive near a building with the intent to cause harm.
Naveed Akram has been charged with 59 offences over the attack
He remains under police guard in hospital, having awoken from a coma on Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Albanese said: “We have seen a series of appalling attacks targeting Australia’s Jewish community. That culminated, on Sunday, in one of the worst acts of mass murder that this country has ever seen.”
He added: “It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge, much more.”
The prime minister conceded he could have done more to tackle anti-Semitism in Australia following Hamas’s attack on Israel on Oct 7.
“Look, of course more could have always been done. Governments aren’t perfect. I’m not perfect,” he said.
The federal government outlined a five-point plan for the reforms.
Following Mr Albanese’s announcement, David Ossip, president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, said he welcomed the reforms but “it shouldn’t take the mass murder of Jews to spur action to stamp out hate”.
“For too long, Australian Jews have been targeted through social media, hate preachers and university campus activities,” he said.
“It was conveniently ignored until it was too late. The gaslighting and dismissal must end.”
Krissy Barrett, Australian Federal Police commissioner, said additional searches would be carried out in the coming days to support the investigation.
“There is a lot of material to be examined, and the AFP continues to work with both domestic and international partners to build a more complete picture of the movements and who the alleged offenders had contact with, both in Australia and offshore,” she said.
Ms Barrett also confirmed the AFP would continue to investigate individuals described as “hate preachers”.
The state government of New South Wales is also considering tougher gun control measures.
The first funerals of the victims took place on Wednesday, including that of London-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a father-of-five.
During a tearful address, his father-in-law, Rabbi Yehoram Ulman told the large congregation it was “unthinkable we talk about you in the past tense”.
On Thursday, the funeral of the youngest victim, 10-year-old Matilda, was held in Sydney.
A mourner carries balloons while arriving for the funeral of 10-year-old Matilda
“She was so young. She was so innocent. My heart is so heavy for her family. I offer my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families who are mourning and who continue to bury loved ones,” Ms Barrett said.
“I say to Jewish Australians, you do not share this grief alone. I will share the weight of this unfortunate grief with you.”
NSW Health confirmed 17 people were still receiving care in the aftermath of the attack on Thursday morning.
Two people remain in a critical condition, while three people have been listed as “critical but stable”.
Original source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/18/australia-tougher-hate-speech-laws-bondi-beach-attack/