The Albanese government’s revised hate crimes legislation could be used to target political opponents, critics have warned.
Labor’s hate crimes laws could lead to political censorship and excessive government power, Coalition MPs and critics warn
That’s by design, not by accident. It’s also not about “could,” because it will. Seeing this for anything other than what it is shows how dense people in this coalition are.
Senior opposition figures have raised concerns about the Albanese government’s hate crimes laws, warning against “excessive expansion of government powers”.
It comes as the Albanese government aims to strengthen protections against antisemitism and other hate crimes.
Key provisions include tougher penalties for hate crimes, expanded powers to list hate groups, and new powers to cancel visas for non-citizens engaging in hate speech.
Under the laws, an organisation may be banned in order to “protect the Australian community against social, economic, psychological, and physical harm”.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says that he doesn’t want to call the terrorists “radical islamists” because it might hurt their feelings. pic.twitter.com/ZwLA0PZo3r
— Australians vs. The Agenda (@ausvstheagenda) January 20, 2026
Critics of the legislation, including Nationals Senator Matt Canavan and Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price have raised concerns this could limit freedoms.
Mr Canavan has announced he will oppose the new laws, saying they were “badly written and too broad.”
He warned ordinary actions, such as a boycott of Russian products, could theoretically be captured under the legislation.
“This is an excessive expansion of government power. These laws should be opposed,” he said in a statement on social media.
“Under the law, harm is defined to include ‘economic harm’. A boycott based on the national origin of products could clearly cause economic harm.”
The Institute of Public Affairs echoed these warnings, arguing the laws could be used to censor political opponents.
“The revised hate laws, which include provisions around banning so-called ‘hate groups’, are so broad and subjective,” IPA Deputy Executive Director Daniel Wild said.
He suggested the legislation could capture organisations such as One Nation, Advance Australia, or even the IPA itself.
“There is no doubt these laws will be used for political purposes by this government to shut down its political opponents,” Mr Wild said.
“The only solution to religiously motivated violence is to stop bringing people into this country who hold these views, and, where possible, deport those who are already here.”
Several Coalition MPs also expressed reservations about the proposed hate crimes laws.
Ms Nampijinpa Price told Sky News that the proposed laws risked “diminishing our freedoms”.
“I’m still mulling over where I sit with all… Whether I have to cross the floor or not, I’m still yet to make my decision entirely on that,” she said.
“This is a very rushed through process and we should really have stopped to think about this and to allow the Royal Commission to take place before going ahead.”
Other Coalition MPs including Colin Boyce, Phil Thompson and Garth Hamilton also expressed concerns.
“I definitely won’t be supporting this bill in any way, shape or form. It’s been a dog’s breakfast right from the word go,” Mr Boyce said on Tuesday.
“It’s been a poorly drafted and poorly managed bill from the start. We have concerns in the bill that they brought before us,” Mr Thompson said.
“Look, Albo’s s**t the bed hasn’t he,” Mr Hamilton said.