Overview
- Attorney-General’s Department officials told a snap inquiry the religious-text defence is very narrow and covers only direct quotation for teaching or discussion, not broader commentary.
- The Executive Council of Australian Jewry welcomed the package with qualifications, warning of gaps including the lack of protections beyond race, the absence of a recklessness standard, and concern over the carve-out.
- Liberal Party figures voiced free-speech concerns and the Nationals attacked the omnibus approach that pairs hate and extremism measures with gun reforms, highlighting internal Coalition divisions.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and senior ministers signalled potential post-passage work to extend protections to religion, LGBTQ people and people with disability, as crossbenchers prepare amendments.
- A senior US State Department official criticised the draft as clumsy and potentially perverse, while AFP and ASIO leaders are due to give evidence and parliament has been recalled for an early debate.