Shadow attorney-general Andrew Wallace has slammed the government for its handling of hate reforms following the Bondi attack, labelling its first attempt a “rushed, sprawling and incoherent omnishambles of a bill”.
He flagged support for the bill, however, “subject to the safeguards and amendments we have sought to ensure these measures are targeted, proportionate and lawful”.
Andrew Wallace speaks in parliament on Tuesday.Alex Ellinghausen
Wallace said measures before the House today “could and should have been taken after October 7, 2023”.
“Instead, the government delayed, it dithered, and ultimately produced a failed omnishambles bill that had to be dismantled. There is much more to do if we are to stamp out antisemitism once and for all,” he said.
Wallace said the snap inquiry into the reforms held last week was insufficient, with stakeholders given just days to make submissions.
“The [joint committee on intelligence and security] is an important committee of this parliament, tasked by the PM to conduct what could only be described as a sham inquiry,” Wallace said.
“The committee’s report was only tabled this morning, making the committee’s process an absolute farce.”