Labor has hit back at Sussan Ley’s refusal to support new hate speech laws, calling her position “unsalvageable” and claiming the opposition leader is at risk of being rolled over the Coalition’s response to the Bondi terror attack.
Senior government ministers including Penny Wong and Jim Chalmers attacked Ley’s position on laws to combat antisemitism on Friday, as Labor’s bill looked unlikely to progress in parliament next week.
The government faces an uphill battle to convince the Coalition or the Greens to pass the bill through the Senate, after placing a self-imposed deadline of just seven days for its passage. The Greens will not support the plan in its current form, while Ley has called the bill “pretty unsalvageable”.
“She continues to say the legislation is unsalvageable, I think what is becoming increasingly clear is that it is Ms Ley’s leadership which is unsalvageable,” Wong said in Adelaide on Friday.
Chalmers accused the Coalition of creating more conflict.
“I think everyone’s suspicion is that in trying to placate the most extreme elements of her party, and putting internal politics ahead of public safety, I think the expectation is that Sussan Ley looks like losing her job anyway,” the treasurer said.
“So, if she looks like losing her job anyway, the least she can do is to do the right thing as she heads out the door.”
The prime minister has recalled parliament early for two days to debate the legislation, and pass a condolence motion for the victims of the 14 December terror attack in which 15 people were killed.
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The Coalition said the bill could have unintended consequences and has had little time for scrutiny, while putting forward its own plan to legislate and adopt the report of the special envoy for antisemitism.
“They’re presenting laws that miss the mark, may have unintended consequences and could impact freedoms in this country – and yet [are] demanding that we pass them with little to no scrutiny,” said Jonathon Duniam, the shadow home affairs minister.
The Greens on Friday were continuing to consult with stakeholder groups and legal experts, reserving their position on possible amendments into the weekend.
A group of religious leaders published a joint letter to Albanese on Friday, urging him to delay consideration of the bill and redraft significant portions of it to avoid unintended consequences for religious freedoms.
The Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, a close confidant of Albanese, along with more than 25 Christian, Islamic, Sikh and Buddhist leaders, said the bill did not provide adequate protection for “lawful religious teaching, sermons, theological instruction, pastoral guidance, and good-faith religious expression”.
“Religious freedom includes the right of individuals and communities to teach, preach, and express their beliefs openly and publicly, including through sermons, religious education, pastoral guidance, and moral commentary, even where those beliefs may be contested, unpopular, or misunderstood,” they wrote.
No Jewish groups or community leaders signed the letter. Peter Wertheim, the co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, urged the Coalition to negotiate with the government this week, suggesting Ley should not allow “the perfect to be the enemy of the good”.
A group of independent MPs – including Allegra Spender, whose electorate of Wentworth includes Bondi Beach – called for MPs to cooperate.
“The victims, families and Jewish community leaders have been united in their calls for a strong response,” the group said on Friday in a joint statement.
“The Liberals and Nationals called for urgent action, now they must follow through. If there are differences within the Coalition, then at the very least they must give their MPs the opportunity for a conscience vote.
“The Greens have flagged their concerns about hate speech and gun laws, now they have the opportunity to help shape laws to tackle these issues.
“We urge all MPs to negotiate in good faith to deliver concrete action. We can’t afford to wait any longer.”
