Australia passed tougher hate crime and gun laws Tuesday, weeks after gunmen targeting a Jewish festival on Bondi Beach killed 15 people. Lawmakers in both houses of parliament voted in favour of the legislation in response to the December 14 shooting at Sydney’s most famous beach. Sajid Akram and his son Naveed allegedly attacked a Jewish Hanukkah celebration in the nation’s worst mass shooting in nearly three decades.
The shooting has sparked national soul-searching about antisemitism, anger over the failure to shield Jewish Australians from harm, and promises to protect the country with stiffer legislation. “The terrorists had hate in their hearts, but they also had high-powered rifles in their hands,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the lower house of parliament. We’re taking action on both, tackling antisemitism, tackling hate, and getting dangerous guns off our streets.
Legislative reforms on hate speech and guns were voted on separately. It creates aggravated offences for offenders who are preachers, other leaders, or adults seeking to radicalise children. The law sets up a framework for listing organisations as prohibited hate groups.
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