Coalition Agrees to Pass Labor's Hate Speech Laws After Sussan Ley Deal with Albanese
In a surprise move, the Liberal party has agreed to support Labor's revised hate speech laws in the wake of the Bondi beach terror attack, despite initial reservations from some backbenchers. The decision comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley reached a deal on the bill, which includes new powers to ban hate groups and revoke or refuse visas for individuals with extremist views.
The National party had initially pushed for further protections around proposed new powers to designate hate groups, raising concerns about unintended consequences. However, after Labor agreed to strip out contentious anti-racial vilification provisions and carve out gun control measures into a separate bill, the Coalition appeared willing to back down.
While some Liberal MPs expressed reservations, sources close to the negotiations confirmed that Ley was "conscious of delivering a good outcome" for Jewish Australians, who have been vocal in their demands for action. The shadow home affairs minister, Jonno Duniam, said the government and opposition were working together to get the best possible outcome for the country.
The deal marks a significant shift for the Coalition, which had initially described the legislation as "pretty unsalvageable." However, after Albanese agreed to split the bill apart over the weekend, the Prime Minister's office was able to negotiate a compromise that satisfied Labor and Liberal concerns.
The revised hate speech laws will be subject to review after two years by parliament's joint committee on intelligence and security, and the opposition will be consulted on any decision to "unlist", as well as list, a hate organisation. Despite some reservations, most Liberal MPs are now backing the bill, which is set to pass with Labor support.
The breakthrough comes ahead of an emergency sitting of Parliament, where the laws are expected to be debated on Tuesday. The Greens have also agreed to support the gun control measures, which will establish the biggest gun buy-back since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
As the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Bondi beach terror attack, many are hailing the deal as a significant step forward in combating antisemitism and extremism. However, some critics remain unconvinced, arguing that more needs to be done to address the root causes of hatred and intolerance.
In a surprise move, the Liberal party has agreed to support Labor's revised hate speech laws in the wake of the Bondi beach terror attack, despite initial reservations from some backbenchers. The decision comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley reached a deal on the bill, which includes new powers to ban hate groups and revoke or refuse visas for individuals with extremist views.
The National party had initially pushed for further protections around proposed new powers to designate hate groups, raising concerns about unintended consequences. However, after Labor agreed to strip out contentious anti-racial vilification provisions and carve out gun control measures into a separate bill, the Coalition appeared willing to back down.
While some Liberal MPs expressed reservations, sources close to the negotiations confirmed that Ley was "conscious of delivering a good outcome" for Jewish Australians, who have been vocal in their demands for action. The shadow home affairs minister, Jonno Duniam, said the government and opposition were working together to get the best possible outcome for the country.
The deal marks a significant shift for the Coalition, which had initially described the legislation as "pretty unsalvageable." However, after Albanese agreed to split the bill apart over the weekend, the Prime Minister's office was able to negotiate a compromise that satisfied Labor and Liberal concerns.
The revised hate speech laws will be subject to review after two years by parliament's joint committee on intelligence and security, and the opposition will be consulted on any decision to "unlist", as well as list, a hate organisation. Despite some reservations, most Liberal MPs are now backing the bill, which is set to pass with Labor support.
The breakthrough comes ahead of an emergency sitting of Parliament, where the laws are expected to be debated on Tuesday. The Greens have also agreed to support the gun control measures, which will establish the biggest gun buy-back since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
As the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Bondi beach terror attack, many are hailing the deal as a significant step forward in combating antisemitism and extremism. However, some critics remain unconvinced, arguing that more needs to be done to address the root causes of hatred and intolerance.