Australia is looking to review its immigration laws and crack down on hate speech after Sunday’s mass shooting attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney.
Mary Louise Kelly, host:
The Australian government said it will review immigration laws and crack down on hate speech in the wake of the mass shooting attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney. This announcement comes a day after the surviving suspect behind the shooting was formally charged with terrorism and murder. Kristina Kukulja has more.
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CRISTINA COCCULIA: Waves crashed on the sand at Bondi Beach as police reopened the site of Sunday’s attack to the public on the day the shooting’s oldest victim, 87-year-old Alex Kleitman, a Holocaust survivor, was buried. The youngest, 10-year-old Matilda, was also buried on Thursday. After leaving war-torn Ukraine, her mother Valeria(ph) believed her family would be safe in Australia.
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Valentina: I never imagined that I would lose my daughter here. (Crying) It’s just a nightmare.
Kukulja: A father and son, allegedly inspired by ISIS, opened fire on crowds celebrating Hanukkah, authorities said. Hundreds of miles away in Canberra, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged a firm response.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: Australians are shocked and angry. I’m angry.
Kukulja: After announcing plans to work with the state government to tighten gun control laws, the national government says it will review Australian immigration laws to ensure people with anti-Semitic or racist views cannot immigrate to the country. Prime Minister Albanese says new laws will also be introduced to tackle hate speech.
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Albanese: Aggravated hate speech offense for preachers and leaders who promote violence. Second, tighten penalties for hate speech that encourages violence. Third, make hate an aggravating factor in sentencing crimes related to online threats and harassment.
Kukulja: Prime Minister Albanese says the proposed reform would also give the minister who oversees the federal police and border control agencies more power to reject some visa applications.
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Albanese: The Home Secretary will also have new powers to cancel or refuse visas to those who spread hatred and division in this country or will do so if they are allowed to come here.
KOKULGA: Australian Federal Police Commissioner Chrissy Barrett says her agency is already investigating a number of alleged hate preachers.
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Chrissy Barrett: AFP is conducting ongoing investigations into people described as hate preachers. These individuals who spread hate and cause fear are on my radar.
Kokolia: The proposed laws must face the first hurdle in the national parliament when it resumes its sessions next year.
For NPR News, I’m Cristina Coccoglia in Sydney.
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