It is the "toughest laws Australians ever had," said Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke
The Australian Senate has passed a new "controversial" law that will imprison people found guilty of some terrorism offenses or displaying "terror symbols," with critics fearing that the legislation will disproportionately harm marginalized people in the country.
Individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses, financing terrorism, or displaying terror symbols will face mandatory prison sentences under new legislation passed on Thursday by both the Labour and opposition parties.
Critics argue that the law may unfairly impact Australia's marginalized communities while also being inconsistent with Australian tradition, according to SBS News.
Liberal MP Andrew Hastie criticized the legislation, arguing that allowing politicians to determine punishments in any given case is extremely risky.
The "toughest laws Australians ever had," coined by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, specify a one-year mandatory sentence for showing Nazi or terrorist symbols, three years for terrorism financing, and six years for other terrorism-related crimes, the broadcaster reported.
The law comes amid the rise of cases of antisemitism in Australia.
This new law's stance on mandatory jail time also contradicts Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor Party platform, which states that minimum sentencing is "discriminatory in practice."
"We want people who are engaged in antisemitic activities to be caught, to be charged, and put in the clink. That's my priority," Albanese was quoted as saying by SBS while defending the law.
Separately, the Israeli Foreign Ministry praised Australia on the legislation, stating that “no Jew in Australia, or anywhere in the world, should have to live in fear,” according to the media outlet.
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World leaders have expressed condolences and solidarity after 15 people were killed in a mass shooting during Hanukkah celebrations at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday (14 December).
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Australia’s policies had encouraged antisemitism after a shooting at a Jewish celebration in Sydney’s Bondi Beach that killed at least 11 people.
An explosive device found in a vehicle linked to one of the alleged attackers in Bondi shooting has been secured and removed according to Police. The incident left 12 people dead.
The possibility of restricting social media access for children is a hot topic in the European Union and the United Kingdom, after Australia implemented a world-first ban for those under 16. Lawmakers have labelled the ban a “real-world test” of how far governments can go to protect young people.
Russia’s human rights commissioner, Tatyana Moskalkova, has said that Ukraine has not provided Moscow with a list of thousands of children it alleges were taken illegally to Russia, despite the issue being discussed during talks in Istanbul.
Iranian authorities have seized a foreign tanker carrying more than 6 million litres of smuggled fuel in the Sea of Oman, detaining all 18 crew members on board.
An explosive device found in a vehicle linked to one of the alleged attackers in Bondi shooting has been secured and removed according to Police. The incident left 12 people dead.
The latest round of clashes between Thailand and Cambodia has left 15 Thai soldiers dead and 270 others injured, Thailand’s Ministry of Defence spokesman Surasant Kongsiri said at a press conference on Saturday.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has offered condolences to President Donald Trump following an ISIS attack near the ancient city of Palmyra that killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter, Syrian and U.S. officials said Sunday.
Ukraine’s domestic security service, the SBU, says it struck a Russian Kilo‑class submarine in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, causing critical damage.
Washington’s seizure of a tanker carrying Venezuelan oil shows a shift from financial sanctions to direct maritime action, further straining relations with Caracas and increasing risks for global shipping.
Anewz brings you the best videos of the day from around the world covering everything from uplifting events to updates in conflict zones.
French senators on Monday approved a revised 2026 budget bill that the government warned could worsen the country’s fiscal deficit, setting the stage for tense negotiations between parliament’s two chambers later this week.
Flooding in Bolivia’s eastern Santa Cruz region has killed at least 20 people after an overflowing river swept through multiple communities, authorities said on Monday, with the toll expected to increase as rescue teams reach areas that were previously inaccessible.
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