Albanese’s Antisemitism Bill Set to Pass Parliament Despite Coalition’s 11th-Hour Hurdle Over Hate Group Powers – Labor’s Crackdown on Hate Speech Gains Momentum

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s landmark antisemitism bill is on track to pass through Parliament this week, overcoming a last-minute hurdle from the Coalition over proposed powers to designate and crack down on hate groups. The legislation, aimed at combating the surge in anti-Jewish hate since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, represents a key pillar of Labor’s response to rising extremism and has been hailed as a “hate group crackdown” by supporters.

Despite intense debate and amendments, the bill’s passage marks a significant win for Albanese amid ongoing criticisms of his government’s handling of antisemitism and the broader national security landscape.

The bill, formally known as the Antisemitism and Hate Speech Amendment Act 2026, seeks to strengthen laws against hate speech, online harassment, and incitement to violence targeting Jewish communities. Key provisions include expanded powers for the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to monitor and dismantle hate groups, harsher penalties for antisemitic acts (up to 10 years imprisonment for severe cases), mandatory reporting for social media platforms on hate content, and increased funding for community security programs.

Albanese introduced the legislation in response to a 700% spike in antisemitic incidents reported by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) in the year following October 7, 2023, which included vandalism, assaults, and online threats.

The Coalition’s 11th-hour hurdle centered on concerns over the bill’s “hate group” designation powers, which allow the Attorney-General to label organizations as hate groups based on intelligence assessments, triggering asset freezes, membership bans, and operational restrictions. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton argued the provisions were “too broad and ripe for abuse,” potentially stifling free speech and targeting conservative groups. “We support combating antisemitism, but this bill risks weaponizing government power against political opponents,” Dutton said in Parliament. The Coalition proposed amendments to require parliamentary oversight for designations, but Labor rejected them, calling them “unnecessary delays.”

Despite the pushback, the bill is expected to pass both houses with Labor’s majority and cross-bench support from independents like Zali Steggall and Helen Haines, who emphasized the urgency of addressing hate in the wake of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack in April 2025, which killed 15 in an ISIS-inspired assault. Albanese defended the legislation: “This is about protecting our Jewish community from a rising tide of hate – not politics.

The Coalition’s hurdles are nothing more than obstructionism.” The bill cleared the House of Representatives last week and is slated for a Senate vote tomorrow, with passage anticipated by week’s end.

The legislation’s journey has been fraught with controversy. Critics, including Dutton and Pauline Hanson, have accused Albanese of using the bill to deflect from his government’s “weak” response to extremism, pointing to delays in implementing hate crime reforms and the refusal of a Royal Commission into Bondi. Hanson blasted: “This is window dressing – Albo’s too scared to confront radical Islam head-on.” Jewish leaders have mixed views: ECAJ President Jillian Segal praised the bill as “long overdue,” but Australian Jewish Association CEO Robert Gregory criticized it as “insufficient without tackling root causes like immigration screening.”

The broader context is a nation still healing from Bondi and the October 7 fallout. ECAJ reports over 1,200 antisemitic incidents in 2025, including synagogue attacks and online threats. Albanese’s government has allocated $25 million for security and launched awareness campaigns, but opponents argue it’s “too little, too late.” The bill’s passage could bolster Labor’s credentials on security, but failure to address Coalition concerns risks further division.

Social media has buzzed with reactions. #AntisemitismBill and #HateGroupCrackdown trend, with supporters calling it “vital protection” and detractors warning of “free speech erosion.” Protests in Sydney and Melbourne demand stronger measures, with signs reading “No More Hate – Act Now.”

As the bill heads to the Senate, Albanese’s leadership faces a test. Passage would be a win against hate, but the Coalition’s hurdle underscores deeper divides. Australia watches – will this crackdown heal wounds or deepen fractures?