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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Politics
Nino Bucci and Adeshola Ore

Everyone says they are worried about hate crimes. But Australia’s laws to combat them are all over the place

Graffiti reading 'hate' on a wall
Despite concerns about hate crimes and hate speech, only two Australian police forces have a dedicated hate crime unit. Photograph: PA

Hate crimes have long been debated in Australia but the war in Gaza and the rise in reports of antisemitism and Islamophobia have thrust the laws designed to punish these crimes into the political spotlight.

The Australian federal police commissioner, Krissy Barrett, has gone as far as saying new national hate crime laws may need to be strengthened.

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