Overview
- Opposition figures, including Andrew Hastie, signalled they will vote no and Sussan Ley called the bill unsalvageable, while Nationals MPs objected to the gun-control components.
- With Coalition support in doubt, Labor is engaging the Greens, who want changes to protect protest and extend anti‑vilification provisions to other minorities before considering support.
- The omnibus bill creates a federal offence for publicly intending to promote or incite racial hatred carrying up to five years’ jail, adds a 10‑year aggravated penalty for preachers or under‑18 victims, preserves a narrow religious‑text defence, empowers bans on extremist groups, and lays groundwork for a national gun buyback and tougher visa cancellations.
- Civil liberties groups, legal experts and faith leaders warn the definitions and limited defences could chill legitimate speech and face constitutional challenges, while the Executive Council of Australian Jewry urged amendments rather than outright rejection.
- A parliamentary report on the package is due Friday ahead of debate next week, and the National Socialist Network announced it has disbanded as the bill proposes criminal penalties for supporting prescribed extremist organisations.