Hate Preachers to Get ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ Card Under New Laws: Albanese Government’s Draft Legislation Sparks Outrage
- Leaked draft laws reveal ‘defences’ for hate speech, including quoting directly from religious texts
- Executive Council of Jewry slams proposed exemptions, warning they will create a ‘barrier to prosecutions’
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vows to introduce ‘toughest hate laws ever seen’ despite concerns over religious freedom
The Albanese Government’s proposed new laws to crack down on hate speech have sparked outrage after it emerged that hate preachers will be offered a ‘get out of jail free’ card under the draft legislation. The leaked document, obtained by news.com.au, reveals that the laws will include ‘defences’ for hate speech, including quoting directly from religious texts.
Executive Council of Jewry Peter Wertheim has slammed the proposed exemptions, warning they will create a ‘barrier to prosecutions’. “You could drive a truck through it, and it would mean that hate preachers…would arguably be beyond the reach of prosecution,” he said.
The draft laws, which are expected to be released publicly on Tuesday, come after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recalled parliament for a special two-day sitting to rush through the tough new laws. The Prime Minister has vowed to introduce the ‘toughest hate laws ever seen’, despite concerns over religious freedom.
However, the proposed exemptions have raised eyebrows, particularly in light of a recent Federal Court case involving Sydney preacher Wissam Haddad. In July, a judge ruled that Mr Haddad’s lectures must be removed after finding them to contain “racist and antisemitic material”.
Mr Haddad’s lawyers had argued that the speeches were derived from religious texts, including the Koran, and were delivered only to a Muslim audience in private. However, Justice Angus Stewart rejected those arguments, finding that the speeches did in fact contravene the Racial Discrimination Act and conveyed “disparaging imputations” about Jewish people.
Despite this, the draft laws propose that quoting directly from religious texts will be considered a defence for hate speech. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland has defended the laws, saying the government moved with “urgency and care” to develop the legislation with consultation from experts and stakeholders.
“Let me be clear, once these laws are passed, they will be the toughest hate laws Australia has ever seen,” Ms Rowland said. However, critics argue that the proposed exemptions will undermine the effectiveness of the laws and create a loophole for hate preachers to exploit.