The Prime Minister has outlined sweeping changes to crack down on hate speech and hate preachers and new powers to cancel visas in the wake of Sunday’s attack. After days of intensifying pressure and anger from Jewish Australians Anthony Albanese has acknowledged that his government could have done more to stamp out antisemitism. A warning tonight's coverage contains distressing material.
00:00A Prime Minister under siege, sharing the shock and anger of a nation.
00:07I acknowledge that more could have been done and I accept my responsibility for the part in that as Prime Minister of Australia.
00:15Responding to criticism from the Jewish Australians who before Sunday had endured a series of alarming anti-Semitic attacks,
00:22forced to attend synagogues, schools and childcare centres under guard.
00:27Could we have done more? Of course you could always do more. Governments aren't perfect, I'm not perfect.
00:34But after days of raw emotion and politics, Anthony Albanese sought to wrestle back control, announcing a raft of new laws.
00:42To crack down on those who spread hate, division and radicalisation.
00:47Hate speech penalties to be increased, hate preachers to be targeted with new offences and groups whose leaders promote racial hatred to be banned.
00:56No government has been able to successfully take action against them because they have fallen just below the legal threshold.
01:03Today we're announcing that we're shifting the threshold.
01:05The Home Affairs Minister to be given new powers to cancel and block visas.
01:10And six months after receiving it, the government's responded to a report by its special envoy to combat anti-Semitism.
01:17The Australian government adopts and fully supports the plan to combat anti-Semitism.
01:22This more formal response has been a long time coming. It is an important next step.
01:28Gillian Siegel to work with prominent Jewish business leader David Gonski on changes to the education system to prevent anti-Semitism on university campuses and in school classrooms.
01:40Children aren't born anti-Semitism. Children aren't born racist. Children aren't born with hate in their hearts.
01:48We demand that the parliament is recalled to pass legislation to eradicate anti-Semitism and counter violent extremism.
01:59It should happen before Christmas.
02:01The Prime Minister is open to recalling parliament before February. It's clear he's trying to get back on the front foot.
02:08The anger at Bondi is still so visceral, he's made the calculation not to visit mourners there for now.
02:14But by laying out a comprehensive plan today and offering a note of contrition to the Jewish community,
02:20the Prime Minister has taken steps towards mending the damaged relationship.
02:25Because what people are looking for isn't more division, they are looking to come together.
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