Australia Tackles Hate Speech, Toughens Gun Laws After Bondi

Australia’s parliament passed new laws to crack down on hate speech and strengthen gun control in an emergency session following December’s attack at Bondi Beach when two ISIS-inspired gunmen killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration.

In a bid to tackle mounting antisemitism, authorities will now have the power to ban extremist groups that espouse hate, with the Labor government particularly highlighting neo-Nazi and radical Islamist organizations. The laws will provide additional powers for the home affairs minister to cancel visas, as well as tougher penalties for religious and spiritual leaders who promote violence.