Australia passes anti-hate crime laws; mandatory jail for Nazi saluters
What's the story
Australia has passed tough laws to tackle hate crimes, after a spate of antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne.
The new laws impose minimum sentences for terrorism offenses and the display of hate symbols.
Under the laws, those convicted of terrorism-related offenses will face a minimum six-year prison sentence, while those convicted of lesser hate crimes like giving a Nazi salute in public will spend at least 12 months in jail.
Legal expansion
New offenses introduced to protect vulnerable groups
The legislation also creates new offenses to protect people from threats of force or violence on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, or ethnicity.
The changes were first proposed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor government last year amid a rise in antisemitic incidents and calls for sterner penalties.
However, the initial proposal lacked mandatory sentencing—a position that was later changed after criticism from political opponents over inadequate action against antisemitism.
Community concern
Antisemitic attacks spark fear in Australia's Jewish community
Australia's Jewish community, which consists of roughly 117,000 people, has remained on edge after a spate of antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne.
The attacks have included arson attacks on a childcare center and synagogues, swastikas drawn on buildings and cars, etc.
In late-January, authorities foiled a potential "mass casualty" attack after finding a trailer loaded with explosives in northwest Sydney, meant for targets in the Jewish community.
Ongoing investigation
Investigation underway into surge of antisemitic attacks
Authorities are now looking into more than a dozen serious allegations among over 166 reports of antisemitic attacks since mid-December.
The spate of hate crimes prompted the launch of Special Operation Avalite to tackle rising antisemitism.
Police are also looking into links to "overseas actors" who may have funded these crimes, as part of their wide-ranging investigation into this alarming trend.