‘Words matter’: spy chief talks up ban on hate groups
Tess Ikonomou |
A bid to ban extremist groups following the Bondi massacre will be good for Australia, the nation’s spy chief says, as he warns there is “permission” for politically motivated violence in society.
Draft laws to be debated next week in parliament when it returns early would introduce a framework to outlaw hate groups that fall below a threshold to designate them a terrorist organisation.
Organisers, supporters and recruiters of listed groups face up to 15 years in jail and members seven.
The ability to ban groups promoting violence was welcome, ASIO director-general Mike Burgess told a parliamentary inquiry on Tuesday.
“I’ve been on the record since early two years ago … talking about how words matter, because inflamed language can lead to inflamed tension, that can lead to violence,” he said.
“We’ve certainly seen a transition and a rise of that more permission for politically motivated violence or communal violence in our society.
“We’ve unfortunately as a nation, allowed behaviours to be normalised, and when they’re normalised, they’re accepted, and that means more of them, it’s more permissible, and it can happen.”
The bid to strengthen hate speech laws are in response to an Islamic State-inspired attack on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14.
A father-son are accused of killing 15 people and injuring more than 40 others.
A national day of mourning will take place on January 22, with flags to be flown at half-mast.
Mr Burgess said the spy agency acknowledged “the deep pain and grief” of the families, friends and community of the dead and injured
“ASIO officers continue to work around the clock on this investigation,” he said.
“That’s what the families of the victims and all Australians deserve.”
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has indicated extremist Islamic organisation Hizb-ut Tahrir and the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network could be listed under the reforms.
The nation’s biggest neo-Nazi group will disband by midnight on Sunday to avoid jail time under the new laws.
Opposition home affairs spokesman Jonno Duniam said the nation did not want people avoiding justice by “tearing down a banner and re-emerging under a different name”.
“The Albanese government must also clarify whether this disbandment actually makes it harder to prosecute the individuals responsible for spreading hate, intimidation and extremism,” he said.
“If extremist organisations have already found a way to circumvent these new laws, then it is very alarming.”
The inquiry will hold a public hearing on Wednesday in Canberra, where it will hear from Jewish groups and human rights advocates.
A report is due by Friday before parliament returns next week to debate the reforms.
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