Opposition leader Sussan Ley introduced several technical amendments that were accepted by the government. These amendments include refining the definition of a hate preacher and enhancing parliamentary oversight.
“In Australia, any prejudice or hate should be left at customs,” he stated in parliament.
The new measures will also empower the home affairs minister to revoke or deny visas to individuals promoting extremist ideologies.
“We have no intention of suppressing debate or the free exchange of ideas,” he explained to Sky News. “Our focus is on preventing radicalization and incitement to violence that can lead to tragedies like mass shootings.”
It will also strengthen the home affairs minister’s ability to cancel or deny a person’s visa for expressing extremist ideology.
“We have no interest whatsoever in stifling debate and the public exchange of ideas … what we’re talking about is a process of radicalisation and incitement to violence, which culminates in massacres like this,” he told Sky News.
