Australia’s parliament has passed a series of amendments to its hate crime laws, imposing mandatory jail terms for displaying hate symbols or performing Nazi salutes.
The new legislation, which was approved on Thursday, also introduces severe penalties for financing and committing terrorism, in a move officials are calling the “toughest laws Australia has ever had against hate crimes.”
The changes come amid a growing wave of high-profile antisemitic attacks, which have sparked intense debate across the country. Under the amendments, individuals found guilty of displaying hate symbols or performing a Nazi salute will face a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison. More severe offenses, such as financing terrorism, will carry a prison term of at least three years, while committing or planning acts of terrorism will result in a mandatory six-year sentence.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke defended the amendments, asserting that the laws are about protecting Australian citizens from hate-driven violence.
“This is not about politics,” Burke said on Wednesday. “This is about whether the Australian Parliament believes it’s acceptable to advocate, threaten, or commit violence against another person because of who they are, who they pray to, or who they love.”
The move to impose mandatory jail terms has been met with mixed reactions. Critics argue that the ruling Labor Party, which traditionally opposes mandatory sentences, is yielding to pressure from opposition parties. Former Labor senator Kim Carr condemned the legislation, calling it a breach of the party’s national platform, which opposes mandatory jail sentences on the grounds that they do not effectively reduce crime and undermine judicial independence.
Opposition leaders also voiced dissatisfaction, accusing the Labor government of stalling on the issue. Liberal senator James Paterson claimed the legislation was a result of Labor being “dragged kicking and screaming” into enacting tougher laws. “The parliament is not acting today because of the decisiveness of the Labor Party,” he said. “This is about ensuring there are real penalties for this behaviour.”
The recent attacks on Jewish targets have galvanized the push for stricter hate crime laws. In the past few months, several incidents have shaken the Jewish community, including a bombing attempt in Sydney last week and a fire at a Melbourne synagogue in December. While there were no serious injuries in these attacks, they have left a lasting impact on the country.
Since January 2024, performing a Nazi salute and displaying Nazi symbols has been banned, but the new amendments make these offenses punishable by mandatory jail sentences. The government’s move is seen as a strong stance against rising hate crimes in Australia, particularly in the wake of disturbing antisemitic incidents.
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