Australia passes tough laws against hate crimes, including mandatory minimum sentences for terrorism-related offences and the display of hate symbols, in an attempt to stem the recent surge in anti-Semitism.
The laws provide for minimum prison sentences ranging from 12 months for less serious hate crimes, such as publicly saluting a Nazi, to six years for those convicted of terrorism-related offences.
“I want people who are engaged in antisemitism to be held to account, to be charged, to be incarcerated,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who initially opposed mandatory minimum sentences for hate crimes, said.
The government’s Hate Crime Bill was first introduced in parliament last year. It establishes new offences of threatening to use force or violence against people based on their race, religion, national or ethnic origin, political opinion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.
Australia began increasing penalties for national and racially motivated hate crimes last year. For example, threats of violence motivated by national or religious hatred were punishable by up to seven years imprisonment. However, no minimum sentences were set, which allowed offenders, depending on the severity of the offence, to avoid real punishment and continue their anti-Semitic activities.
Recent events have demonstrated that the absence of minimum sentences was an oversight on the part of the legislators. The country has seen a wave of attacks on synagogues. Last week, Australian police reported preventing an “anti-Semitic attack” using explosives.
