Squiz Today Squiz Shortcuts: Why Hate Speech Laws Are So Hard
Jan 20, 2026
The Albanese Government recalled parliament to address hate speech and gun laws following the Bondi terror attack. The proposed Combating Anti‑Semitism, Hate and Extremism Bill faced significant criticism, leading to the abandonment of key components. The podcast delves into the complexities of defining hate speech versus free speech and the challenges in implementing effective laws. It also highlights community divisions on proposed measures and notes the political fallout from the lack of Senate support, as the government navigates a complex landscape of social demands.
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Line Between Hate Speech And Free Speech
- Defining hate speech versus free speech is inherently contested and legally tricky.
- Democracies struggle to draw the line between offensive rhetoric and criminal incitement.
Government Wanted Lower Threshold
- Federal law currently criminalises advocacy of actual violence but sets a high threshold.
- The government proposed lowering the threshold to criminalise public promotion of racial hatred, not just calls for violence.
Targeting Radicalising Rhetoric
- The proposal aimed to catch groups that radicalise while avoiding explicit calls for violence.
- Tony Burke argued such groups create a pathway to violence by normalising hatred below the violence threshold.