Overview
- Labor has recalled parliament for a two‑day sitting to consider a combined bill covering a new hate‑speech offence, a gun buyback and a hate‑group listing regime, with passage likely to require Greens or crossbench votes.
- The draft creates a federal crime to publicly promote or incite racial hatred, carrying penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment and a narrow defence for quoting religious texts for teaching or discussion.
- The Coalition has signalled likely opposition, with Sussan Ley calling the bill unsalvageable, and the Nationals objecting to the firearms measures within the package.
- The Greens say they will not support the bill in its current form and are seeking broader protections to cover religion, gender and sexuality, along with changes to visa‑cancellation and group‑listing powers.
- A coalition of prominent religious leaders has asked the prime minister to delay the proposal over free‑speech and religious‑freedom concerns, as constitutional experts warn elements could face High Court challenge.