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Australia introduces new hate crime laws in response to anti-Semitism

The Australian government passed a new hate crime law on Thursday. The law provides for criminal penalties, including imprisonment, for offenders who commit crimes based on a person's race, gender, ethnic origin, religion or sexual orientation.

The bill is the government's response to an increase in hate incidents as a result of the Israel-Gaza war and follows landmark laws from last year that banned Nazi salutes and the public display of symbols of terrorist groups.

“No Australian should be targeted because of who they are or what they believe,” Justice Minister Mark Dreyfus said in a statement.

“We are proud to live in a vibrant, multicultural and diverse community that we must protect and strengthen,” Dreyfus added.

Pro-Palestinian symbols are sprayed on the U.S. consulate in Sydney, Australia, June 10, 2024. (Source: AAP/Stephanie Moring/via REUTERS)

Protecting freedom on the streets and online

The bill provides for prison sentences of up to five years for anyone who threatens to use violence against a group or individual and fears that the threat will be carried out. Offenders can be punished with up to seven years in prison if the threats pose a danger to the government.

The government also announced that it would introduce a separate law on Thursday to combat “doxxing,” which is the malicious publication of a person's personal data on the Internet. Perpetrators face prison sentences of up to six years.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised in February to take steps to ban doxxing after the names, social media accounts and other personal information of hundreds of Jewish Australians were published online by anti-Israel groups.

The anti-doxxing law is to contain a provision that allows victims to sue in the event of “serious intrusions into privacy”. However, journalists and secret services are to be exempted from this.



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