Bill dumped – government must now enforce existing terrorism laws

The Australian Institute for Progress has welcomed the government’s decision to abandon the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill and has called on it to enforce the laws that already exist.

Executive Director Graham Young said the proposed legislation would have done nothing to prevent another massacre like the one at Bondi Beach, because the powers to prosecute terrorists, their supporters and those who urge violence are already contained in the Criminal Code.

“What matters is not simply what people say, but what they do – and what they urge or encourage others to do,” Mr Young said.

“Hate speech was always a diversion. The bill itself became a diversion from the government’s failure to tackle the root causes of terrorism and antisemitism.”

Mr Young said the clearest evidence that the law has not been enforced is the government’s decision only now to move against Hizb ut-Tahrir and the National Socialist Network, a neo-Nazi organisation.

“These organisations could have been dealt with at any time during the past four years under existing law,” he said.

Mr Young called on the government to explain why action has been so limited.

“When can we expect action against hate preachers, many of whom can be seen on YouTube urging violence, apparently in breach of the Federal Criminal Code?”

“When will authorities examine the social-media activity of prominent activists whose conduct suggests prima facie support for Hamas, a listed terrorist organisation, and consider appropriate enforcement action or formal warnings?”

Mr Young said public controversy surrounding figures such as Randa Abdel-Fattah highlighted the broader problem.

“It has been widely reported that her X account displayed a paraglider image shortly after the 7 October Hamas massacre in Israel. She is not the only public figure whose online activity has raised serious questions. The public deserves to know whether such material has been assessed by law-enforcement agencies and, if not, why not.”

Mr Young said that while antisemitism is vile, it is not new.

“Antisemitism has existed for at least 2,000 years. Eliminating it entirely may be impossible, but limiting its effects is a moral necessity.”

“We cannot stop people from saying bigoted things, but we must take responsibility for arguing against them so that such views are not normalised.”

“The government has failed to argue against antisemitism and has substituted legislation for action.”

For further information:
Graham Young
Executive Director
Australian Institute for Progress
📧 graham.young@aip.asn.au
📞 0411 104 801