PREVIEW

Albanese Announces Hate Speech Crackdown After Bondi Attack. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a crackdown on hate speech following the deadly Bondi Beach shooting that targeted a Jewish Hanukkah festival. Fifteen people were killed when two gunmen opened fire at the event, an attack authorities said was inspired by ISIS. Albanese said new laws would target those who spread hate, division and radicalisation, stressing that Jewish Australians had the right to feel safe and respected. The government said the home affairs minister would be granted new powers to cancel or refuse visas for individuals who promoted hate. Proposed measures included penalties for extremist preachers, a new offence of “aggravated hate speech,” and tougher sentencing for hate-driven online threats. Albanese said his government would fully adopt recommendations made in July by antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal, who warned the country faced a critical moment in combating antisemitism. Some Jewish groups welcomed the action but raised concerns that parts of the plan could restrict free speech or silence legitimate criticism of Israel. Albanese acknowledged criticism that more could have been done earlier to counter antisemitism and said his priority was to unite the nation rather than deepen divisions.
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