Toni Buti and Matt Moran pressconference qat a building site in Wembley.
UPDATE: The Western Australia Government is set to impose tougher penalties for hate-motivated crimes in a decisive move to combat rising racial vilification. WA Premier Roger Cook and Attorney-General Tony Buti confirmed to The West Australian that the Department of Justice is currently reviewing the current laws as pressure mounts on leaders to take stronger action.
In a statement released earlier today, both officials emphasized the need for more rigorous measures to combat hate crimes, stating, “We are not standing still.” The proposed reforms aim to strengthen penalties, potentially increasing maximum sentences for hate crimes, which currently allow for penalties of up to 14 years for inciting racial hatred.
This announcement follows a shocking terrorist attack at Bondi Beach last Sunday, which left 15 people dead, raising serious concerns about the safety of the Jewish community and the effectiveness of existing protections. Premier Cook defended the response of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has faced criticism for his delayed actions to safeguard the Jewish population.
The WA Government is already recognized for implementing some of the country’s strictest laws against hate crimes, including regulations targeting Nazi hate symbols and glorification of violence on social media. However, Cook admitted that more reforms are essential to align with national best practices and recommendations from Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism.
Dr. Buti stated that the upcoming reforms to the Equal Opportunity Bill will expand the definition of race to include ethno-religious origins and ancestry, ensuring that anti-Semitism is explicitly addressed in the legal framework. He noted, “This change will clarify protections for ethno-religious groups, including Jewish individuals, against unlawful behavior.”
Authorities are committed to making hate-motivated crimes an aggravating factor, which would result in higher penalties. The Premier expressed a clear message that WA is not immune to the threat of extremist violence, stating, “You can never guarantee against it.”
Opposition leader Basil Zempilas called for greater assurance to the public that all necessary measures are being taken to protect against extremism. Michaelia Cash, a WA Liberal senator, highlighted that incidents of extremism seen in other parts of Australia serve as a warning, stressing that similar threats could manifest in WA.
As the state government prepares to introduce these legislative changes, the community is urged to remain vigilant. The next steps include a comprehensive review by the Department of Justice and the introduction of the Equal Opportunity Bill into Parliament next year, potentially reshaping the landscape of hate crime legislation in Western Australia.
Stay tuned for more updates as this situation develops.
