Australia’s government introduced hate crime legislation that imposes criminal penalties, including jail sentences of up to five years, on those targeting a person based on race, gender, ethnic origin, religion or sexual orientation.
Australia has seen an increase in acts targeting the Jewish and pro-Israel community since Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre in southern Israel.
The bill follows laws passed last year banning the Nazi salute and “public displays of terror group symbols.”
“No Australian should be targeted because of who they are or what they believe,” said Australia’s Attorney General Mark Dreyfus. “We proudly live in a vibrant, multicultural and diverse community which we must protect and strengthen.”
