CANBERRA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday announced a government crackdown on people who spread "hate, division and radicalization" in response to the Bondi Beach shooting.
Albanese said at a press conference in Canberra that the attorney-general and minister for home affairs will begin working on reforms that will include a new hate speech criminal offense for leaders who promote violence, and increased penalties for hate speech that promotes violence.
Under the reforms, hate will be made an aggravating factor in sentencing people found guilty of online threats and harassment.
The government will also develop a new system for listing organizations whose leaders engage in hate speech promoting violence or racial hatred.
Additionally, Albanese said that the minister for home affairs will be granted new powers to cancel or reject visas for people who spread hate and division in Australia, or would do so if they were allowed to enter the country.
A new 12-month taskforce will be established to ensure that Australia's education system prevents, tackles and properly responds to antisemitism, Albanese said.
The announcement followed the fatal shooting of 15 people at an event celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday night, which authorities have said was motivated by Islamic State (IS) ideology. ■
