Overview
- Parliament will be recalled early next week to debate an omnibus bill that creates a federal offence for publicly promoting or inciting racial hatred, establishes powers to list and criminalise hate groups, and adds gun controls including AusCheck intelligence screening and a national buyback.
- Coalition MPs are split, with prominent Liberals citing free‑speech and religious‑freedom concerns and Nationals opposing elements of the gun measures, increasing the likelihood Labor may seek Greens support to pass the bill.
- The Executive Council of Australian Jewry backs tougher tools against hate groups and serious vilification but urges splitting the bill, opposes a narrow religious‑text defence, and wants the offence expanded beyond race and to cover reckless conduct.
- The National Socialist Network says it will disband before Sunday to avoid prospective listing, while ASIO and police signal ongoing surveillance and warn extremists may rebrand or go underground.
- A snap PJCIS inquiry is examining the draft with a report due by Friday as Islamic community representatives criticise the truncated consultation and stakeholders probe thresholds, visa‑cancellation powers and proposed penalties for hate preachers and adult radicalisers.