'No Place For Antisemitism': Australian PM Vows Crackdown On Hate Speech After Bondi Beach Attack

Last Updated:December 18, 2025, 08:35 IST

Albanese's crackdown on hate speech comes after the Bondi Beach attack revived allegations that Australia failed to do enough to combat rising antisemitism.

Australian PM Anthony Albanese. (AFP)

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday announced that his government will take several steps, including a package of reforms to crack down on hate speech and radicalisation, to combat rising antisemitism in the country in light of the Bondi Beach attack, in which 15 people celebrating a Jewish festival were gunned down.

“There is no place in Australia for antisemitism. It is an evil that tears at the fabric of our country," he said at a press conference. “The terrorist atrocity that killed 15 people, including 10-year-old Matilda who will be buried later today, was an attack on the Jewish community, but it was also an attack on the Australian way of life."

“Australians are shocked and angry. I am angry. It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge," Albanese said as he promised a sweeping crackdown on antisemitism. This includes new powers to target extremist preachers and to refuse or cancel visas for those who spread “hate and division".

He also announced that Australia would develop a regime for listing organisations whose leaders engage in hate speech. Furthermore, “serious vilification" based on race would become a federal offence.

“The Minister for Home Affairs will also have new powers to cancel or reject visas for those who spread hate and division in this country, or would do so if they were allowed to come here," he said. The Australian PM also announced a 12-month taskforce to ensure that the Australian education system prevents, tackles and properly responds to antisemitism.

“Every Jewish Australian has the right to be proud of who they are and what they believe, and every Jewish Australian has the right to feel safe, valued and respected for the contribution that they make to our great nation," Albanese added.

Australia Mourns Youngest Victim

Albanese spoke as people gathered for the funeral of 10-year-old Matilda, who is the youngest victim killed in the Bondi Beach terror attack. “Matilda is our little ray of sunshine," said the rabbi leading the service, reading out a message from her school.

“She is genuinely the most kind, caring and compassionate young girl, who brightened everyone’s day with her radiant smile and infectious laugh," he further said. Matilda’s family reportedly left Ukraine to settle in Australia before the Russian invasion.

Bondi Beach Terrorist Charged

Meanwhile, Naveed Akram, the surviving gunman in the Bondi Beach massacre, was charged with 59 offences, including 15 charges of murder, on Wednesday after he woke up from a coma. His father, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed by police counterfire at the scene.

Akram was also charged with 40 counts of causing harm with intent to murder in relation to the wounded and with placing an explosive near a building with intent to cause harm. Police said the Akrams’ car, which was found at the crime scene, contained improvised explosive devices.

Authorities believe the pair were radicalised by “Islamic State ideology". Australian police are investigating whether the pair met with Islamist extremists during a visit to the Philippines weeks before the shooting.

(with inputs from agencies)

News world 'No Place For Antisemitism': Australian PM Vows Crackdown On Hate Speech After Bondi Beach Attack

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