Australian Leaders Promise More Anti-Free Speech Laws to Protect Multiculturalism
The aftermath of the likely terrorist firebombing of the Addas Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea in Melbourne has seen Australia’s political leaders promise more anti-free speech laws in the name of protecting multiculturalism.
In her visit to the synagogue on Friday Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan claimed the attack was another reason her government’s proposed expansion of anti-vilification laws is needed. If passed, these laws would carry a criminal penalty of up to three years in jail to incite hatred against, serious contempt for, revulsion towards or severe ridicule of, another person or a group because of race, religious belief or activity, disability, gender identity, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation. There would be a maximum of five years in prison if a person is found to have threatened another person or group of a protected attribute.
The Victorian Liberal Opposition wants a permit system for public protests, which would require all protests, including those against the state government, to be approved by a state government authority. Jacinta Allan said on Monday her government would look at introducing laws banning protests outside houses of worship, similar to how pro-life activism is banned outside abortion clinics.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has also promised to introduce laws banning protests outside houses of worship. Today after a second anti-Israel vandalism attack in the Eastern Sydney suburb of Woollahra where many Jews live, Minns said he would consider introducing further hate speech laws. Minns claimed the reason why Australia does not have a First Amendment to protect free speech as the United States does is to protect the multicultural community that has been built up over decades.
In December 2023 the NSW Government passed laws intended to make the prosecution of speech deemed to be threatening or inciting violence towards people because of their race, religious belief or affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, or because that person is living with HIV/AIDS easier. The maximum criminal penalty is three years in prison or a $11,000 fine. So how much further is the Minns Government vowing to restrict free speech?
At the Federal Level the Albanese Government has drafted laws that will impose criminal penalties for serious instances of vilification based on a person’s race, sexuality, gender, disability or religion. It recently passed laws criminalizing doxxing which covers even publishing a person’s name with a maximum penalty of five years in prison or seven years if the doxxing is deemed to be motivated because of a protected attribute of the person doxxed.
All of these laws have been introduced or drafted post Hamas’ 2023 October 7 attack on Southern Israel. Jewish and pro-Israeli lobby groups claim these laws will protect Jewish people from physical attacks or terrorism. Those opposed to free speech or claim free speech is not the same as hate speech allege that speech that offends others can inspire violence. Of course, there are already laws against inciting violence.
Of course the question should be asked if multiculturalism has been a success in Australia as our leaders claim why are laws needed to enforce multiculturalism? If multiculturalism is meant to be harmonious then shouldn’t it just occur organically within communities? Forced multiculturalism under the threat of criminal penalties would indicate it is not working and leading to social unrest.
Our political leaders continue to double down on multiculturalism claiming it has always worked in Australia and we are an example to the world. Even leaders who are promising a reduction in migration stress that this is only to ease the cost of living and the housing crisis. They claim such a policy is nothing against multiculturalism.
So what we can continue to expect in the short term is more proposals from our leaders to restrict free speech in the name of protecting multiculturalism and social cohesion.
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