Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised a sweeping crackdown on hate, division and radicalisation on Thursday after a mass shooting killed 15 people at a Jewish festival on Bondi Beach.
“Australians are shocked and angry. I am angry. It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge, much more,” Albanese told a news conference.
The prime minister outlined a suite of measures to target extremist preachers, impose stiffer punishments and refuse or cancel visas for people who spread “hate and division”.
Advertisement
As he spoke, mourners gathered for the funeral of a 10-year-old girl among those gunned down while celebrating Hanukkah on Sunday at Sydney’s famous beach.
Critics in the Jewish Australian community and beyond have assailed the prime minister for not doing more to protect them from rising antisemitism.
Advertisement
New “aggravated hate speech” laws will punish preachers and leaders stoking hatred and violence, Albanese said.
04:05
‘I couldn’t imagine losing my daughter here’: Australia mourns Bondi shooting victims
‘I couldn’t imagine losing my daughter here’: Australia mourns Bondi shooting victims