Today, Australian lawmakers enacted anti-hate legislation that mandates minimum sentences for various offences, including a one-year jail term for performing a Nazi salute.
This legislation received backing from both the centre-left Labor government and Conservative opposition in light of a series of anti-Semitic incidents.
Recently, authorities announced an investigation after discovering mining explosives in a caravan on the outskirts of Sydney, along with written threats directed at the Jewish community.
In the past few months, vandals have set fire to a childcare centre in Sydney, firebombed a synagogue in Melbourne, and defaced Jewish neighbourhoods with anti-Semitic graffiti.
Flowers at the scene following the arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in December
The new law also enhances penalties for advocating violence and introduces new offences for threats of violence or property damage.
Anti-Semitic graffiti has been discovered in numerous Jewish areas throughout Sydney.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended his support for mandatory minimum sentences in the new legislation, despite his party’s historical opposition to such approaches.
Anthony Albanese during an address to the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra
“What we’ve accomplished through our legislation ensures we have robust laws in place,” he stated.
“We want individuals involved in anti-Semitic activities to be apprehended, charged, and incarcerated. That is my main concern.”
