Overview
- The draft omnibus bill creates new crimes for racial vilification and inciting hatred carrying penalties of up to five years, includes a defence for quoting religious texts, and folds in gun reforms, visa powers and a regime to ban designated hate groups.
- Faith leaders told a parliamentary inquiry the proposal’s vague definitions and perceived retrospective risk could expose past sermons or teachings and urged a delay for proper scrutiny.
- Civil liberties groups and legal experts warned broad language could criminalise mainstream political and social media speech and face constitutional challenge, with a senior US State Department official labelling the approach clumsy.
- Liberal leaders signalled the Coalition is unlikely to back the bill in its current form, Nationals voiced opposition to the gun measures, and Labor could seek support from the Greens to pass it.
- Jewish peak bodies welcomed stronger protections but criticised the religious text carve-out, Andrew Hastie said he will vote no, and the government has also announced a royal commission linked to the Bondi attack.