Australia on High Alert: Federal Government to Crack Down on ‘Hate Australia’ Groups as NSW Premier Vows to Shut Down Racist Rallies
- Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announces plans to stop organisations that “hate Australia” from operating, even if their actions don’t rise to terrorism or criminality
- NSW Premier Chris Minns vows to shut down racist rallies, saying a mass protest would be “ruinous for our community” and promises a “summer of calm”
- Gun reform laws pass NSW’s lower house, with Premier Minns saying the legislation is the “single best thing” to keep the people of NSW safe
- Federal government to cooperate with NSW royal commission into the Bondi terror attack, despite initial resistance to a federal inquiry
Australia is bracing for a crackdown on hate groups as the federal government vows to take action against organisations that “hate Australia”. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke made the announcement during a press conference in Canberra, saying the government would stop these groups from operating, even if their actions don’t rise to terrorism or criminality.
“We want those organisations to not operate. They hate Australia. We don’t see why they should be operating in Australia,” Minister Burke said.
Meanwhile, NSW Premier Chris Minns has vowed to shut down racist rallies, saying a mass protest would be “ruinous for our community”. Premier Minns said he wants a “summer of calm” and expects the police to work closely with the community over Christmas.
“If someone is going to have a racist rally, they can expect it to be shut down immediately,” Premier Minns said. “Police are on guard for those changes and they won’t tolerate anyone attempting to use overt racism in our community.”
The announcements come as the federal government faces criticism for its stance against a federal royal commission into the Bondi terror attack. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the government’s position, saying there was no royal commission called after the Port Arthur massacre or the Lindt Cafe terror attack.
“We provided support for national unity at that time. New South Wales has said that they’re going to have a royal commission, we’ve said we’ll cooperate with that… and the Richardson review will be completed by April,” Prime Minister Albanese said.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the changes that passed the legislative assembly last night will “strengthen oversight, improve enforcement and reduce risk”. The gun reform laws are expected to pass the Legislative Council soon, with Premier Minns saying the legislation is the “single best thing” to keep the people of NSW safe.
“We’re hopeful that the legislation can pass at some point today or in the early hours of tomorrow morning,” Premier Minns said.