The Morning Edition Coalition splits – again – over hate speech laws
Jan 21, 2026
Natassia Chrysanthos, a federal political correspondent, dives into the turmoil within the Coalition following the resignation of three Nationals frontbenchers. They voted against Labor’s hastily passed hate-crime laws, raising questions about Sussan Ley’s leadership. Natassia explores the various parties' concerns over free speech and legal ambiguities, as well as the evolving dynamics after the Bondi massacre. She also highlights how this internal dissent may reshape political strategies for the year ahead.
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Two-Pronged Post-Bondi Reforms
- The package contained two core reforms: tougher hate-group designations and stronger gun-license checks with a national buyback scheme.
- The gun measures rely heavily on state cooperation so outcomes will be piecemeal and variable.
Vilification Clause Sparked A Can Of Worms
- The proposed federal vilification offence reopened long-running debates about which protected attributes (religion, ethnicity, gender identity) should be covered.
- The government removed that contentious clause at the last minute, producing a watered-down bill.
Nationals Sat Apart And Voted With Greens
- Nationals senators sat apart and then voted with the Greens in the Senate after failing to secure their amendments.
- The images showed four National senators physically separated from the Coalition during the vote.