Full Story Will Labor’s contentious hate laws pass?
Jan 18, 2026
Tom McIlroy, a political editor known for his insights on federal legislation, breaks down the complexities of Labor's contentious hate laws. He explains Prime Minister Albanese's strategic split of the omnibus bill to navigate parliamentary obstacles. The discussion covers accusations of hypocrisy faced by the Coalition and their internal tensions. McIlroy also assesses the chances of the revised hate and gun laws passing, while addressing community concerns over antisemitism. This dialogue highlights the high stakes for Labor and Albanese's balance between practical governance and political image.
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Legislation Divided Into Guns And Migration
- The revised approach separates gun laws from hate and migration measures to improve passage odds.
- Migration changes and group-designation powers remain part of the second bill.
Political Stakes Remain Very High
- Passing parts of the package is politically urgent after the Bondi attack and perceived inaction would be damaging.
- The Greens likely back the gun measures, improving their chances in the Senate.
Use Tactical Concessions To Force Deals
- Labor calculated a tactical backdown to force negotiation and pressure the Coalition.
- Presenting negotiable legislation can be used to cajole opponents into compromise.