Albanese Government passes legislation to combat antisemitism, hate and extremism

The Hon Michelle Rowland MP
Media Release

Minister for Home Affairs 
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
Minister for Cyber Security
Minister for the Arts
The Hon Tony Burke MP

Attorney-General
The Hon Michelle Rowland MP

Joint Media Release

The Albanese Government has passed ambitious legislation to combat antisemitism, hate and extremism in response to the devastating antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025.

During the last term of Parliament, the Albanese Government introduced the toughest federal hate crime laws in Australian history. The Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Act 2026 further strengthens those laws, specifically targeting people and groups who seek to spread hatred, radicalise our youth, and disrupt social cohesion in Australia.

The Act expands and strengthens Commonwealth criminal offences to address the spread of hatred and extremism, including antisemitism, through:

  • increased penalties for hate crime offences
  • new aggravated penalties for preachers and leaders who advocate or threaten violence
  • a new framework to enable organisations who engage in conduct constituting a hate crime to be listed as prohibited hate groups, and
  • expanded prohibited hate symbols offences.

Separately, reforms to our migration laws enable the Minister for Home Affairs to refuse to grant, or to cancel a visa, on the basis of hate motivated conduct and offences relating to the spread of hatred and extremism.

The Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Act 2026 will also help make the Australian community safer by:

  • establishing a National Gun Buyback Scheme
  • enabling the use of Commonwealth intelligence for firearms licensing decisions
  • strengthening importation controls on firearms
  • introducing new criminal offences for accessing, distributing, possessing or controlling online material for firearms and explosives manufacture, and
  • prohibiting the import or export of violent extremism material, prohibited hate material or goods that contain such things.

With the passage of these Bills, the Albanese Government reaffirms its longstanding commitment to strengthening Australia’s national security and national unity, and keeping all Australians safe.

Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

“The Albanese Government has acted swiftly to bolster the safety and security of the Australian community in response to the horrific antisemitic terrorist act at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025.

“The legislation sends a clear message that those who seek to spread hate and division, including those who seek to radicalise our youth, will be met with appropriate penalties.

“The passing of these laws to combat antisemitism, hate and extremism is another vital step towards a safer, more unified Australia.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Tony Burke MP:

“Our government has acted to address the Bondi gunmen’s motivation and method; the why and the how.

“These new laws deal with both, by strengthening our gun laws and cracking down on hate speech.

“The Australian people expect us to send a very strong message to those who seek to harm and divide us as a nation and these important laws do exactly that.”