Target too wide?

January 27, 2026

The Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism laws establish a highly politicised administrative process for declaring “Prohibited Hate Groups” without judicial oversight. Organisations which advocate engaging in conduct constituting a hate crime, including hate crime conduct engaged in outside Australia, may be declared a Prohibited Hate Group

Offences of directing, recruiting for, funding or even supporting such a group carry 7-10 year prison sentences.

A UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) found Israel has committed acts that amount to genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in Gaza. Major Australian Jewish organisations like the Executive Council of Australian Jewry actively advocate for and support Israeli government actions in Gaza. Under the new law’s own definition, these groups qualify for declaration as Prohibited Hate Groups.

Equally, some Australian pro-Palestinian groups which have justified Hamas’s 7 October action as lawful resistance. The COI found the action included war crimes. These groups would also qualify to be declared Prohibited Hate Groups.

Any attempt to use these new powers to suppress public discourse will prove the laws are not genuine tools for social cohesion, but targeted instruments of oppression, exposing their true political purpose.