Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday announced his government will seek to crack down on hate speech following last weekend's terrorist shooting that killed 15 people.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament House in Canberra, Albanese said the attorney general and minister for Home Affairs will develop a package of legislation "to crack down on those who spread hate, division and radicalization."
The prime minister's office said in a statement that the legislation will include five objectives, including the creation of an aggravated hate speech offense for preachers and leaders who promote violence and increased penalties for hate speech that promotes violence.
The other objectives include establishing "hate" as an aggravating factor in sentencing for online threat and harassment crimes, developing a federal offense for "serious vilification" based on race or advocating racial supremacy and a regime for listing organizations whose leaders engage in hate speech promoting violence or racial hatred.
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