HATE SPEECH LAW CHANGES INSUFFICIENT

“The government's belated decision to amend its hate speech laws to remove the power to allow the Minister to designate hate expressions is welcome but does not go far enough,” says QCCL President Michael Cope

In order to secure the greatest extent of the vital right to free speech the State is entitled to take action to suppress speech likely to lead to lawless action if, and only if, it is intended and likely to produce imminent lawless action in this particular context that conduct is violence

The offence will still be difficult and costly to detect, investigate and prosecute. Given that it not just the prohibited expression but also phrases “likely to be confused with or mistaken for that expression,” that are to be criminalised, there is a real and substantial potential for allegations to arise from ‘mis-hearings’ which would further impact police resources

Mr Cope said,” The QCCL condemns the statement of the police minister Mr Purdie that “the hate speech laws would criminalise phrases that led to people being murdered at Bondi” as not only unsupported by any evidence but as tending to undermine the moral responsibility of the bigots who perpetrated the mass murder at Bondi.”

For further information contact Michael Cope President QCCL on 07 3223 5939 during office hours and at all times on 0432 847 154 

3 March 2026