Australia Introduces Hate Crimes Bill Amid Criticism for Dropping Hate Speech Provisions

The new legislation focuses on criminalizing threats and doxing but omits broader hate speech protections, drawing disappointment from minority groups.

• The Albanese government introduced a hate crimes bill that criminalizes threats of violence based on race, religion, gender, and other protected characteristics.
• LGBTQ+ and Jewish groups expressed disappointment that the bill does not include broader provisions against hate speech and vilification.
• The bill proposes up to five years in prison for threats of violence, with penalties increasing to seven years if the threats pose a danger to the government.
• A separate bill was introduced to criminalize doxing, with penalties of up to seven years for targeting individuals based on protected characteristics.
• Critics argue that the new laws prioritize freedom of speech over the safety of minority groups and fail to address the increasing prevalence of hate speech.

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