Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised a sweeping crackdown on hate, division and radicalisation after a mass shooting killed 15 people at a Jewish festival on Bondi Beach.
"Australians are shocked and angry. I am angry. It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge, much more," Mr Albanese told a news conference.
The prime minister outlined a suite of measures to target alleged extremist preachers, impose stiffer punishments, and refuse or cancel visas for people who spread "hate and division".
As he spoke, mourners gathered for the funeral of 10-year-old Matilda, who was the youngest among those killed while celebrating Hanukkah on Sunday.
Critics in the Jewish Australian community and beyond have criticised the prime minister for not doing more to protect them from rising antisemitism.
New "aggravated hate speech" laws will punish preachers and leaders stoking hatred and violence, Mr Albanese said.
He vowed harsher penalties too.
Australia would develop a regime for listing organisations with leaders who engage in hate speech, he said.
"Serious vilification" based on race or advocating racial supremacy is to become a federal offence.
The government will also boost the home affairs minister's powers to cancel or reject visas for people who spread "hate and division", he said.
Mr Albanese added that a task force is being set up with a 12-month mission to ensure the education system "properly responds" to anti-Semitism.
"Every Jewish Australian has the right to be proud of who they are and what they believe," he said.
"And every Jewish Australian has the right to feel safe, valued and respected for the contribution that they make to our great nation," he added.
Australia's response to anti-Jewish prejudice "has been a long time coming", the country's anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal said.
"We stand, I think, at a very important moment, not only for our community, but for fighting anti-Semitism around the world," she added.
