Yesterday, Australia's Parliament gave final passage to Amendments to Australia's Hate Crimes Law. (Full text of law.) (Full text of Explanatory Memorandum.) The law is intended to strengthen Australia's efforts to combat hate crimes, particularly in the face of rising incidents of antisemitism in the country. As summarized by BBC:
The new laws were passed following a wave of high-profile antisemitic attacks which have become a major topic of debate in the country.
The amendments have been described by the government as the "toughest laws Australia has ever had against hate crimes".
But critics say that the governing Labor Party is caving to opposition demands and going against its own policy of opposing mandatory jail sentences.
Under the amendments, displaying hate symbols or performing a Nazi salute is now punishable with at least one year in prison.
Other penalties include a minimum of three years for financing terrorism and six years for committing or planning terrorist acts.
