Australia’s Attorney General Throws Cautious Hail Mary on Hate Speech Laws
KEY POINTS
- •Attorney General Michelle Rowland said two bills on gun control and hate speech will be introduced this morning.
- •She acknowledged recent 'constructive engagement' with the Coalition over the past 48 hours but gave no promises.
- •The removal of serious vilification provisions weakened the bill, but it still aims to be the strongest hate speech law.
Attorney General Michelle Rowland announced on Jan 20 that two bills—one on gun control and one on hate speech—will debut unfashionably in Parliament this morning. Apparently, the Coalition has been entertaining 'constructive engagement' for a whole 48 hours, which in politics is basically a light brunch chat. Rowland cautiously dances around promises, refusing to 'pre-empt' support because, surprise, the Opposition wants so many amendments it’s turned the bill into a legislative mullet: business in front, party out back. Crucially, the fiercest 'serious vilification' rules got the axe, but don't worry, these remnants still count as Australia’s 'strongest hate speech laws ever,' if you pretend the laws actually pass Parliament. It’s like waving a peace treaty signed in invisible ink.
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Australia's Canberra circus rolls in with 'strongest hate speech laws ever' — if you ignore all the parts the Opposition sliced out with scissors sharper than any legislation.
Nothing says negotiated law like 'strongest ever' rules that nobody actually agrees on and probably won't work.
Michelle Rowland's 48-hour bipartisan romance with the Coalition peaked at awkward silence and questionable amendments.
Source: Theguardian | Published: 1/20/2026 | Author: Krishani Dhanji
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