Urgent: Comments on the Hate Speech Bill Close Tomorrow at 4pm!

The Federal Parliament has opened public submissions on the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026. Submissions opened yesterday and close tomorrow at 4pm. In other words, Australians have been given only three days to comment on one of the most complex and far-reaching pieces of legislation in years.

That alone should worry all of us. Rushed legislation is almost always poor legislation. It creates unintended consequences, weakens safeguards, produces unfair outcomes, and damages trust in the democratic process.

Despite the rush, it is not too late to have your say. And your voice matters. I've already made my submission.

What I Support in the Bill

I support strong laws that prevent and punish hate speech that incites violence, intimidation, fear, or harassment. I support measures that combat antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, homophobia and transphobia - the real and harmful discrimination that too many Australians experience.

I also support the Bill’s gun-control elements, including a national gun buyback and strengthened background checks. Guns do not belong in our communities.

What Needs Changing

Good intentions don't guarantee good law. The Bill needs serious improvement in at least three areas.

First, it must not create a hierarchy of who gets protected. Human rights belong to everyone, full stop. Hate speech against Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, First Nations peoples, LGBTQI+ communities and others must be treated just as seriously as antisemitism. One community must not be elevated above the others in law.

Second, the Bill must not suppress or criminalise legitimate political criticism of governments or organisations. Criticising Israel - including its conduct in Gaza - is not hate speech. Wearing a T-shirt that says “Stop Israel’s genocide” is not hate speech. Calling for accountability for any state, whether it is Israel, China, Russia, the United States or Australia, is not hate speech. It is political expression, and in a democracy it must be protected unless it directly incites harm against a community.

Third, because Australia has no constitutional right to free speech, only a fragile implied freedom of political communication, Parliament has an even greater obligation to protect peaceful protest and public debate. Any new law affecting expression must be necessary, proportionate, and tightly drafted so it cannot be misused to silence dissent.

Why I Can’t Share My Own Submission Yet

Parliamentary rules prohibit sharing submissions publicly before the Committee authorises them for publication. So I can't share it yet or it will be invalid. Once it is available, I’ll share it. But you can make yours today.

How to Make a Submission (Even if the Portal Isn’t Working)

Several people (including me) have had issues with the My Parliament login. If the portal doesn’t work, you can email your submission directly to the Committee Secretariat at:

pjcis@aph.gov.au

To make your submission valid, include:

• your full name

• your email address and/or phone number

• your state/territory

• a clear statement that this is your submission to the PJCIS inquiry into the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026.

You can attach a Word document or paste your submission directly into the email.

This is a rare moments where a single email can make a difference. If you believe in equal protection for all communities. If you believe in freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest. If you believe laws should not be rushed through Parliament without scrutiny. Then please take ten minutes to write a submission today.

They close Thursday at 4pm. Let’s make sure our voices are heard before then.