Labor attempt to pass minimum jail sentences for hate speech crimes

Albanese government will reverse stance on mandatory terms to head off opposition attacks on antisemitism

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The Albanese government will attempt to pass minimum jail sentences of between one and six years for hate speech crimes in a bid to stave off opposition attacks on its response to antisemitism ahead of the federal election.

The move marks a significant departure from Labor's own national policy platform, which opposes minimum sentencing laws which it says do not reduce crime", lead to unjust outcomes" and are often discriminatory in practice".