Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian government are understandably coming under fire. Their reply to calls for a royal commission has been overtaken by a horrific attack at a Sydney Hanukkah party on Bondi Beach, killing 15 people. Opposition leaders and community advocates alike are outraged over the government’s failure to act. With devastating, heart-rending predictions of future attacks, they call into question the efficacy and reach of existing hate speech laws.
In front of the National Press Club two weeks ago, Treasurer Jim Chalmers echoed this call, saying that law enforcement agencies must not be hampered by an inquiry. He added that now is the time for swift action so that communities are safer. An amendment to Albanese’s bill was proposed by Rep. At the same time, critics counter that the laws already on the books are not being enforced properly.
Calls for a Royal Commission
Bondi Beach attack has ramped up calls for a royal commission into what led up to the attack. As former director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Dennis Richardson noted, the most critical element in inquiries is balance. He said notwithstanding the good work of royal commissions, they inevitably lead to painful delays in acting on issues.
Richardson remarked, “The last thing that I want is the delays that happen on a royal commission.” He fought for a much quicker, more streamlined process. In his response, he proposed that commissions of inquiry might give answers quicker and less drastically than a royal commission. He raised concerns about the presence of armed guards at preschools, stating, “It is totally unacceptable in this country that there are preschools with armed guards.”
Opposition figures such as Josh Frydenberg are demanding such action. They’re asking for common sense measures to address radical hateful inflammatory speech and increase safety in their communities. Frydenberg called for such a government to introduce bans on hate preachers and anti-Jewish protests, and support tougher immigration laws. His comments caused cheers to erupt from an audience of bonded residents in Bondi who want action now and not endless investigations.
Criticism of Government Inaction
The Albanese government has been roundly condemned for doing too little, too late, since the attack. James Paterson, an opposition senator, criticized the government for delaying necessary measures, stating, “The only thing the Albanese government has done for the last two years is delay action. So for them to use that as an excuse now… I think is a disgrace.”
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke today fiercely defended his position not to create a royal commission. He contended that it would suck up all the resources needed to implement emergency safety improvements. He urged a shift of resources away from years-long probes and toward protecting the safety of the communities where these officers serve.
Burke stated, “We ought to address the issues sitting behind that. One of them is hate speech. There’s no point in having legislation relating to hate speech unless it is enforced.” This failure highlights deepening concerns about enforcement of newly bolstered hate speech laws. These laws, which were passed in February this year, were a reaction to the growing prominence of antisemitism and Islamophobia.
Future Legislative Measures
In response to the attack and increasing community outrage, Prime Minister Albanese has committed to reforming Australia’s gun laws. These proposals, like preventing non-citizens from obtaining gun licenses, are meant to improve public safety and prevent individuals from posing threats to society.
In response, Assistant Immigration Minister Matt Thistlewaite said the government would be making public a package of “whole of government” measures. Here’s how these measures will combat antisemitism in particular. Although these measures have been celebrated by numerous disability advocates, concerns persist regarding the effectiveness of existing legislation and its implementation.
Community leaders are demanding urgent action and real-world solutions. At the same time, the federal Albanese Labor government is coming under increasing fire for their response to this hugely important issue. The debate surrounding the need for a royal commission versus more immediate measures remains at the forefront of public discourse.
