The Albanese Labor Government has adopted the Special Envoy's Plan to Combat Antisemitism and announced significant additional actions to address antisemitism in Australia. The government appointed Jillian Segal AO as Australia's first Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism in July 2024, following a surge in antisemitic incidents after October 2023.

Ms Segal provided her report to government in July 2025, containing 13 recommendations and 49 key actions developed through extensive consultations with the Jewish Australian community. The Prime Minister and Ms Segal publicly released the plan on 10 July 2025. The government has now provided its full response, confirming it will take action on all 13 recommendations outlined in the plan.

Prior to this announcement, the government had already legislated for hate speech, hate crimes, hate symbols, and doxxing offences. It also appointed a Student Ombudsman to investigate universities. The government has now announced additional legislative reforms to be developed by the Attorney-General and Minister for Home Affairs. These include creating an aggravated hate speech offence for those who promote violence, increasing penalties for hate speech promoting violence, making hate an aggravating factor in sentencing for online threats and harassment, developing a regime for listing organisations whose leaders engage in hate speech, and developing a federal offence for serious vilification based on race or advocating racial supremacy.

Additionally, the Minister for Home Affairs will have new powers to cancel or reject visas for those who spread hate and division. David Gonski AC will lead a 12-month taskforce, including the Special Envoy, to ensure the education system prevents and responds to antisemitism. The eSafety Commissioner, the Special Envoy, and the Minister for Communications will work together to provide online safety advice to address antisemitism.

Key actions:

• Government adopts all 13 recommendations from the Special Envoy's Plan

• New legislative reforms including aggravated hate speech offences and increased penalties

• 12-month education taskforce led by David Gonski AC

• Extended security funding for the Jewish community

• New visa powers to prevent entry of those who spread hate

[1] https://www.pm.gov.au/media/special-envoys-plan-combat-antisemitism

[2] https://ministers.education.gov.au/anthony-albanese/special-envoys-plan-combat-antisemitism

[3] https://www.australianjewishnews.com/special-envoy-to-combat-antisemitism-calls-for-action/