Albanese plan to counter hate includes more action against extremist speech, limits on visas

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s sweeping crackdown to banish the “evil of antisemitism from our society” includes action against extremist leaders and groups, as well as a tightening of immigration rules.

Albanese announced the plan earlier today in the wake of the Sunday terror attack on a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where gunmen killed 15 people. The premier has come under criticism from Jewish leaders and opposition politicians for doing too little to combat antisemitism prior to the attack.

The plan includes new powers to target extremist preachers and to refuse or cancel visas for those who spread hate and division.

Australia also plans to develop a regime for listing organizations with leaders who engage in hate speech, he says.

“Serious vilification” based on race would become a federal offense.

The plan also pledges an antisemitism education task force as well as measures to combat antisemitism on university campuses.