Allegra calls on toughening hate laws

February 3, 2025 by J-Wire
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Independent Member for Wentworth Allegra Spender is to call for amendments to existing hate crime laws as federal parliament sits for the first time this year.

Allegra Spender

She will call for changes in the  Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill to outlaw serious vilification and the promotion of hatred.

In a statement, Allegra Spender explained: “Under the current Bill, promotion of violence and hatred is not considered a crime unless it explicitly urges or threatens violence. This leaves a gaping hole that is being exploited by certain groups and individuals who are still able to glorify and promote hatred with impunity. These statements have a cumulative effect that often lead to violence, fear and division.

My proposed amendments will address that gap in legislation.

My electorate includes a large proportion of both Jewish Australians and LGBTIQ+ Australians, and both communities have been targeted by hate crime.

Our laws are inadequate if hate preachers can still call for a “final solution” and say Jews are “bloodthirsty criminals” and “monsters”, while neo-Nazi demonstrators target our LGBTIQ+ community with banners that say “Destroy Paedo Freaks”.

Such words promote hate and provide a climate for violence – as the Director General of ASIO has repeatedly reminded us words matter.

I have drafted these amendments in consultation with my community and representative organisations.

I have shared my amendments with the crossbench, the government and opposition.

We have heard a lot of tough rhetoric from politicians against antisemitism and hate crimes.

This is an opportunity for parliamentarians to do the job they were elected for and outlaw the hate speech that creates the environment for hate crimes.”

The proposed amendments include hatred on display on social media.

The amendments are detailed below:

AMNDT_Ms Spender_Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill 2024_v2

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