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.
China and Russia will stage a joint naval exercise near Vladivostok in August, followed by a Pacific maritime patrol, Beijing’s defence ministry has...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 31st of July, covering the latest developments you need to kno...
An F-35 fighter jet went down near Naval Air Station Lemoore in central California, the U.S. Navy confirmed on Wednesday....
President Donald Trump announced on 30 July, 2025, that the United States and South Korea have reached a "full and complete trade deal" that establish...
The U.S. and Pakistan have reached an agreement that includes reduced tariffs for Pakistan and a partnership in which the U.S. will assist in developi...
The Australian government has reversed its earlier decision to exempt YouTube from a landmark social media ban targeting under-16s, following concerns raised by the country’s internet watchdog.
The United Nation’s climate chief says a delay in choosing the host for next year’s COP31 summit is causing problems. It's after Australia and Türkiye submitted bids in 2022 to host the high-profile conference in 2026. Sydney said it's received the most votes.
Australia and the United Kingdom have signed a landmark 50-year treaty to cement their partnership under the AUKUS nuclear submarine programme.
Five Australian women who say they were pulled from a Qatar Airways flight by armed guards and strip-searched, have won the right to sue the airline, after a court on Thursday overturned an earlier decision to dismiss the case.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
Australian researchers have pioneered a low-cost and scalable plasma-based method to produce ammonia gas directly from air, offering a green alternative to the traditional fossil fuel-dependent Haber-Bosch process.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
'Superman' continued to dominate the summer box office, pulling in another $57.25 million in its second weekend, as theatres welcome a wave of blockbuster competition following a challenging few years for the film industry.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 31st of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
An F-35 fighter jet went down near Naval Air Station Lemoore in central California, the U.S. Navy confirmed on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump announced on 30 July, 2025, that the United States and South Korea have reached a "full and complete trade deal" that establishes a 15% tariff on South Korean exports while securing $450 billion in combined investments and energy purchases from Seoul.
The U.S. and Pakistan have reached an agreement that includes reduced tariffs for Pakistan and a partnership in which the U.S. will assist in developing the country’s oil reserves, officials from both sides announced.
The U.S. will impose a 15% tariff on imports from South Korea under a new trade deal that also includes a $350bn (about £264bn) South Korean investment in the U.S., President Donald Trump has announced.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment