Australia - January 2026

On 21 January, the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Act received assent after passing Parliament in an accelerated process. The Act established a framework for designating prohibited hate groups, strengthened offences relating to hate crimes and prohibited symbols, introduced aggravated penalties for religious or spiritual leaders who advocate violence, and expanded grounds for refusing or cancelling visas for hate-related conduct. The government said the reforms were needed to address escalating antisemitism and hate-motivated conduct following the 2025 Bondi Beach attack. However, legal experts and civil liberties advocates raised concerns about the breadth of the group-listing and symbol provisions, reliance on executive and intelligence assessments, and potential restrictions on free speech. A statutory review of key provisions is required after two years to assess their impact on fundamental freedoms. 

Sources: Human Rights Watch, OHCHR, Federal Register of Legislation