7am Hannah Ferguson on the politics of hate speech
Jan 16, 2026
Hannah Ferguson, CEO of Cheek Media and host of the Big Small Talk podcast, dives into the contentious debate over hate speech laws following a recent terror attack. She critiques the rushed legislation, highlighting its lack of thorough consultation and bipartisan support. Ferguson discusses political divisions, the fallout within Australia's arts community, and the chilling effects of censorship, especially surrounding cultural programming decisions. She calls for a more nuanced public discourse while supporting solidarity actions against censorship.
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New Federal Hate Offences And Tests
- The bill creates a new federal offence for inciting hatred and a regime to outlaw hate groups.
- It uses a 'reasonable person' test to judge whether targeted groups would feel hatred rather than proving actual harassment.
Opposition Splits On Different Grounds
- The Greens and the Coalition oppose the bill for very different reasons and want broader changes.
- The Greens seek wider anti-racism protections while the Coalition pushes a narrower, security-focused framing.
Rushed Drafting Undermines Legitimacy
- The government rushed the bill with only a 48-hour public consultation window during a fraught holiday period.
- Hannah argues this failure to consult experts and stakeholders undermines the legislation's legitimacy.