EXCLUSIVE POLL: Aussies Demand Action After Bondi Beach Terror Attack – 76% Want Stricter Immigration Screening and 70% Call for Tougher Hate Speech Laws
- A staggering 76% of Australians believe stricter immigration screening is needed to identify antisemitic or extremist views
- 70% of voters want tougher hate speech laws, with 67% calling for heavier penalties for those who incite violence against the Jewish community
- Almost half of Australians (48%) want a federal royal commission into the Bondi attack, despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ruling it out
Australia is demanding action in the wake of the devastating Bondi Beach terror attack, with a new poll revealing overwhelming support for tougher hate speech laws and stricter immigration screening. The Resolve poll, conducted for The Sydney Morning Herald, found that almost half of Australians believe changes are needed to prevent such atrocities from happening again.
The poll’s findings are a stark warning to the government, with 76% of voters calling for stricter immigration screening to identify antisemitic or extremist views. A further 70% want tougher hate speech laws, while 67% believe heavier penalties are needed for those who incite violence against the Jewish community.
“We have work to do in order to honour the dead,” Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said earlier this week, calling for a federal royal commission into the Bondi attack. “We must confront uncomfortable truths, hard truths. That’s what this Commonwealth royal commission is about.”
The Rabbinical Association has also written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, expressing the fear and anger felt by the Jewish community. “What we are hearing is fear, anger and a deep sense that existing responses have been insufficient,” they said. “For this reason, we strongly believe that a federal royal commission into antisemitism in Australia is now necessary.”
However, Albanese has ruled out a federal royal commission, citing the existing state-based inquiry, department review, and police investigation. “What we need to do is to work immediately,” he said. “The idea that we would have multiple royal commissions as well as a review running at the same time is going to simply delay action.”
Despite this, Albanese has signalled several legislative changes, including new hate speech laws, a landmark gun buyback scheme, and more powers for the home affairs minister to cancel or refuse visas. Minister Assisting the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman, has urged parliament to support the laws when they are introduced. “The immigration minister needs more powers, and the parliament should provide them,” he said.