Australia's hate speech, gun law reforms face free speech concerns

Hate speech and gun control laws proposed by the Australian government in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach mass shooting were criticised by conservative opposition and Greens parties on Thursday, putting in question whether they can pass.



Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has recalled Parliament from its summer break to sit next Monday and Tuesday with the hope that a combined bill that authorises a gun buyback and lowers the bar for hate speech prosecutions would be voted on.



Albanese was criticised for not acting quickly enough in announcing a public inquiry into the Bondi massacre, but has now been criticised for rushing complex legislation.



On Thursday, Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley, who previously urged Albanese to act ‍quickly, said the bill was "unsalvageable" after prominent conservative lawmakers said it threatened free speech. She urged Albanese to allow more time to consider new laws.



The December 14 shooting in Sydney that killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration sparked nationwide calls to tackle antisemitism. Police say the alleged gunmen were inspired by the Islamic State militant group.



Ley criticised the bill for not targeting "radical Islamic extremist hate preaching without impinging on free speech."