Qld to crack down on hate symbols and speech in wider antisemitism response
Sunday’s attack on a Jewish Hanukkah event saw the father-son gunmen allegedly kill 15 people and injure dozens more, setting off an outpouring of community fear, mourning, and calls for action.
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While initial action through national cabinet focused on gun law reform, the federal Albanese government announced further measures to tackle antisemitism on Thursday.
These include increased enforcement of hate speech – including in universities – and efforts to address antisemitism through the education system.
Speaking at another media conference on Thursday, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the government would also consider which of the federally proposed antisemitism measures the state could enact.
Bleijie listed instances of rising antisemitism, including Labor figures holding “Free Palestine” signs at the party’s November state conference.
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He then referenced “the marching, the protesting, the Hamas flag, the ISIS flag”, accusing the federal and former state Labor governments of failing to call them out.
The deputy premier then claimed Labor leader Steven Miles oversaw MPs “attending protests in support of a Hamas terrorist organisation in Palestine” while he was premier.
“Unless you call that out, which we did in opposition, then you won’t get solutions,” Bleijie said.
“That’s why we will look at the laws and we will strengthen the laws to make sure our Jewish community feels safe in their streets, in their homes, in their community.”
This masthead has asked Bleijie to clarify if he considered attendance at pro-Palestine marches as an expression of support for Hamas. Comment has been sought from the opposition.
Asked if the state was also considering a NSW-style ban on protests following a terrorism incident, Bleijie said Frecklington and Police Minister Dan Purdie were considering all options.
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