The Australian Greens have expressed concerns to the Prime Minister and the government about the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026 proposed by the government for consideration by the parliament next week.
The Greens will not pass the Bill in its current form.
The Greens remain open to working with the Government on legislation that protects vulnerable communities and people based on principles of equal treatment, genuine protection and non-discrimination.
As put by Greens Leader Larissa Waters:
"The Greens have put our concerns to the government about this legislation, and we won't support it in its current form," Senator Waters said on Thursday.
"This is complex legislation that may have unintended consequences. We've only had a couple of days to consider it, and we need to do our due diligence.
"We can't combat hate if we don't combat it for everyone. Excluding protections for people on the basis of religion ignores the fact both antisemitism and islamophobia are increasing in our communities. These laws should protect everyone from hatred and discrimination, including the LGBTQ+ and disability communities.
"We need to ensure these laws cannot be weaponised to shut down legitimate political protest. Labor must make it crystal clear that criticism of Israel's actions, just like those of Russia, China or Australia, will not be criminalised.
"The Bondi tragedy was made possible by gun laws that are no longer fit for purpose. The Greens support gun safety, including a national gun buy-back and a national firearms registry, as the bare minimum to ensure we never see a tragedy of this magnitude in Australia again."
As put by Greens Deputy Leader Mehreen Faruqi:
"Experts and community groups have expressed fundamental opposition to this Bill and the process with which it is being rushed through. The Greens will not support the Bill in its current form.
"The legacy of the appalling violence at Bondi cannot be the undermining of civil and political rights, or laws that can be used to weaponise racism and hate against everyday Australians who follow their conscience and speak out when they see wrong carried out here in Australia and overseas.
"Our society must be one that refuses to accept hatred - whether it's attacking a queer person for who they love, a Muslim woman for wearing a hijab, a Jewish man for his kippah, or a trans person for their gender identity. We must tackle hate and racism for everyone.
"Combatting hate and all forms of racism requires a genuine commitment to grassroots, community-led change with engagement and resources invested in the community.
"The Government must urgently fund and implement the National Anti-Racism Framework, which provides a blueprint for an anti-racist society that protects all racially marginalised groups."
As put by Greens spokesperson for Justice and Immigration David Shoebridge:
"Hate doesn't put people in the neat little boxes that Labor is trying to do with this legislation. The same hateful ideology that produced the appalling Bondi shootings could have turned on women or the LGBTQ+ community and they also deserve protection.
"Protections from hate and vilification should not exclude gender, the LGBTQIA+ or disability communities. The Greens will push for these protections to be extended as part of our negotiations with Labor over this Bill.
"Laws that are designed to protect just one religion, Judaism, but fail to extend those protections to Islam and other religions are unfair, discriminatory and divisive.
"Allowing the Immigration Minister to refuse or cancel visas because someone 'might' commit an offence is essentially allowing the Minister to use these powers against anyone, at any time. It is not a credible legal test.
"Allowing the government to proscribe organisations is a serious step, and it needs to come with safeguards and protections, including procedural fairness.
"The Greens have long been pushing for stronger gun control legislation, and we support a national gun buy-back and a national firearms registry. This is core work for the Greens and we will continue to press for gun safety in every Parliament across the country."
