The Federal Government have gone back on their stance on mandatory jail sentences for terror crimes and display of hate symbols, paving the way for the Hate Crimes bill to be passed in Parliament.
In the Labor government’s own national policy platform, they opposed minimum sentencing laws and said they don’t reduce crime and lead to unjust outcomes. Now they have gone back on this after criticism from the Opposition for their response to antisemitism before the Federal Election.
Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke introduced amendments to the criminal code amendment (hate crimes) bill and said these are the toughest laws against hate speech Australia has ever had.
“We want to see this go through both Houses of Parliament, with as many members of Parliament coming together as possible in a show of unity to the Australian people that these hate crimes, these forms of bigotry, have no place in Australia at all,” he said.
The bill would introduce minimum sentences for threatening force or violence against people based on their race, religion, nationality, national or ethnic origin, political opinion, sex, sexuality, gender identity and intersex status.
The amendment create a minimum mandatory jail sentence of 12 months for minor crimes, like a Nazi salute, and a possible six-year sentence for offences associated with listed terrorist groups.
The pullback has garnered criticism from both sides of the political spectrum.
Greens leader, Adam Bandt said they supported Labors initial stance and said the amendments were unnecessary.
“This is a clear deviation from principles that the government has espoused and, what’s more, it is utterly unnecessary,” he said.
“Now, because the Opposition has asked for it, we’re seeing substantial amendments being put forward at the last minute, just because the Opposition has asked for it, when the bill could have got through anyway.”
Liberal senator and shadow home affairs minister, James Paterson told Sky News that Labor introducing the mandatory sentencing is a “total capitulation”.
“It was only two days ago that senior Albanese government ministers were publicly dismissing the idea of the need for mandatory minimum sentences,” he said.
“This is another example of Peter Dutton leading, of seeing the problems in our country, of identifying the solutions and calling for them and of pressuring the Albanese government to very reluctantly acting to address them.”
This week the Federal Government also announced they will be delivering an extra A$1.7 billion to fund public hospitals and health services next year in a bid to protect Medicare.
“Our public health system is too precious to entrust to Peter Dutton and the Liberals, who ripped $50 billion out of public hospital funding when he was Health Minister,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
“This $1.7 billion funding boost will protect our public hospital system, strengthen Medicare and help build Australia’s Future.”
In a press conference on Wednesday Albanese, alongside Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, shared more information on the hospital funding.
“Under this new agreement, the Commonwealth contribution to state-run hospitals will increase by 12 per cent to a record almost $34 billion in 2025-2026,” Albanese said.
"Our tripling of the bulk billing incentive, making medicines cheaper, the delivery of 87 Urgent Care Clinics providing the health care that people need when they need it."
