Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday promised a crackdown on hate speech in the wake of an attack on a Jewish holiday event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, as the youngest of 15 victims was laid to rest. Albanese said the government will seek to introduce legislation that makes it easier to charge people promoting hate speech and violence.
Penalties would be increased, cancelling or refusing visas would be made easier, and a regime for targeting organizations whose leaders engage in hate speech would be developed, he said. “Australians are shocked and angry. I am angry. It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge much more,” Albanese told a news conference announcing the reforms.