Australia's new hate speech laws and serious threats to protest, dissent and free speech
From Think Again by Jennifer Borrell & Jacques Boulet
May 8, 2026
About this episode
Greg Barns SC discusses Australia's new hate speech laws and their implications for free speech and dissent.
Greg Barns SC provides an overview of Australia's new hate speech laws at federal and state levels, and how they present a serious threat to free speech and dissent.While the patchwork of laws is confusing, in general they set some groups against others in partisan fashion, and favour the pro-Israel lobby.Some of the laws are over-reliant on subjective judgements such as what constitutes 'hatred', and how people feel when they hear expressions from others. In Queensland two specific phrases have been banned: 'globalise the intifada' and 'from the river to the sea', although these expressions have various meanings for Zionists, Palestinians and protestors. For example, 'from the river to the sea' has been used in the past as a Zionist slogan. Of great concern, academic freedom is at risk, as are universities as a site of scholarly debate and contest. This is already happening to a degree and there is risk of freedom of speech on campuses being further curtailed.Some of the laws will undoubtedly be contested. In the meantime people are advised to stay informed, but to not let these laws have a chilling effect on their right to free speech.
People in this episode
Hosts: Jennifer Borrell, Jacques Boulet
Guest: Greg Barns SC
Topics covered
- hate speech laws
- free speech
- protest rights
- academic freedom
- political dissent
Keywords
- hate speech
- free speech
- Australia
- laws
- protest
- academic freedom
- dissent
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: pro-Israel lobby
Places: Queensland, Australia, Zionists, Palestinians
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