Foreign Minister Penny Wong has defended the Albanese Government’s new hate speech and extremism laws, saying the package passed by the Senate represents the strongest such legislation Australia has ever enacted, despite key provisions being removed to secure Coalition support.
Speaking to ABC AM after a late sitting of Parliament, Wong linked the laws directly to last year’s Bondi attack, describing it as an act driven by hatred and enabled by access to weapons.
“The Bondi attackers had hatred in their minds and guns in their hands, and the laws passed last night tackled both of those,” she said.
Wong acknowledged that some of the toughest proposed measures, including elements of racial vilification laws recommended by the Special Envoy against antisemitism, Jillian Segal, were dropped during negotiations. She said those provisions were removed because the Coalition refused to back them.
“But having said that, these are the strongest hate laws the country has ever passed,” she said, adding that changes to gun laws would have prevented non-citizens involved in the Bondi massacre from obtaining firearms.
The legislation passed amid criticism over its speed and complexity, with questions raised about whether the public had enough time to understand how the new framework would operate. Wong rejected suggestions the Government had rushed the process, pointing instead to what she described as shifting positions from the Opposition.
“This was a horrific terrorist attack. Fifteen Australians, fifteen Jewish Australians, were murdered,” she said. “We, as a Government, have been working methodically through this legislation. We recognise the urgency.”
She accused the Coalition of inconsistency, saying it had called for Parliament to be recalled, then opposed the recall, demanded action on hate speech, then voted against key provisions. Wong also pointed to divisions within the Opposition, noting that Coalition senators voted both for and against the bill.
“At a time Australians want unity, Sussan Ley could not unite the Coalition,” she said.
Much of the debate has centred on where the new hate laws draw the line between criminal conduct and free expression. Wong said it was important to understand that the legislation focuses on conduct intended to incite criminal behaviour motivated by hatred.
One element gives the Home Affairs Minister the power to suspend or cancel visas for people who come to Australia to spread hate. Another allows for the proscription of hate groups, but only on the advice of the Director-General of ASIO and after consultation with the Attorney-General.
“The focus of those laws is on those organisations which are seeking to incite hate crimes,” Wong said. “It is not legislation which is designed to prevent differences of views and freedom of speech.”
Asked directly whether groups opposed to Israel’s existence or highly critical of the state could be banned, Wong stressed that the laws were not aimed at political debate.
“What it is designed to do is to crack down on organisations which are seeking to incite hate crimes,” she said, pointing to safeguards that include ministerial oversight and briefing the Leader of the Opposition. She said those checks were intended to balance freedom of expression with the need to respond to rising antisemitism.
“Freedom of expression is important in our country, but with the rise of antisemitism and in the wake of the worst terrorist attack that this country has seen on Australian soil, we really do need to continue to strengthen our response to hate,” she said.
The interview also touched on foreign policy issues, including an invitation from the United States to join President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace”. Wong confirmed Australia had received an invitation and was seeking further clarity.
“We are considering that and engaging with the United States to understand more fully their intention and the operation of the Board,” she said, adding that Australia was also consulting other partners.
Wong was also asked about concerns from Australian dual citizens affected by new UK and Irish passport entry rules, which have left some people unable to travel as expected. She said the Government was aware of the distress caused and had raised the issue with British officials.
“These are changes to UK entry requirements which the United Kingdom has put in place for all dual citizens,” she said. “We’ve conveyed these concerns to the British High Commission, and I hope we can work through this.”
The Government has indicated that further legislative responses may follow, particularly as findings emerge from the Bondi Royal Commission, but Wong said the priority now was implementing the laws passed and ensuring they are applied with care and balance.
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