Could Labor’s hate speech laws damage Australia’s free speech? Here’s what you need to know about the contentious bill

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party say the hate speech bill will strengthen national unity but opposition parties and free speech advocates disagree. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Labor’s hate speech bill has alarmed free speech advocates, who say it could have unintended consequences because it was rushed through without enough consultation.

Labor says the bill, which would criminalise hate speech, create a new “hate group” listing, establish a gun buyback and create new grounds to reject or cancel visas, would strengthen national security and national unity.