‘Toughest ever laws’ against hate crimes backed in Federal Parliament

Minimum jail sentences are planned as part of a crackdown on hate crimes by the Federal Government.Amid an escalation of attacks, graffiti and other incidents including against Jewish people in Australia, a tightening of hate crime laws is planned.Crimes have include a firebombing of a synagogue, an attack on a childcare centre and the discovery of a caravan packed with explosives police believed could have been part of a planned antisemitic attack.Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke revealed amendments to the government's legislation, which was introduced into Parliament on Wednesday evening.He said they were the "toughest laws Australia has ever had against hate crimes".He called antisemitism "as ancient as it is vile," but said the bill would "protect all Australians.""This is not about politics, this is about whether the Australian Parliament believes it's acceptable to advocate threaten or commit violence against another person because of who they are, who they pray to or who they love," he said.Allegra Spender, the MP for Wentworth which covers Sydney's Eastern suburbs where many incidents have happened described the situation as "horrendous."She wants the laws to go further."My community is living through the worst antisemitism this country has ever seen," she said."It is extremely devastating for people."She said the legislation is also important for the LGBTI+ community, as well as other groups targeted over race, religion and sexuality.The bill is set to be voted on by MPs in the House of Representatives on Thursday, after Labor agreed to the coalition proposals.Tougher hate crime laws have also been proposed by the NSW government in a crackdown on recent antisemitic and racist graffiti across Sydney.