Jewish groups call for reform of racial vilification laws

Opposition legal affairs spokesman Julian Leeser says it is a ‘disgrace’ that authorities failed to take action against a radical Islamic preacher.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim and deputy president Robert Goot at court on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

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It is a ­“disgrace” that authorities failed to take action against a radical ­Islamic preacher, opposition legal affairs spokesman Julian Leeser says, as Jewish leaders call for reforms to race-hate laws.

After the Federal Court handed down a landmark ruling that hate preacher Wissam Haddad had breached anti-discrimination laws, Mr Leeser and Jewish groups praised the decision for upholding the power of the courts to protect vulnerable groups from vilification.

The civil case was brought by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry after police declined to take action against Mr Haddad following sermons in which he called Jewish people “vile”, “treacherous” and “descendants of pigs and monkeys”.

Following judge Angus Stewart’s decision on Tuesday that Mr Haddad had breached section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, Mr Leeser said the remarks constituted “racist abuse” and the ­ruling was a “strong and welcome defence of our principles and ­values”. “This is one of the first legal actions taken in relation to the anti-Semitism crisis Australia faced in 2023 and 2024,” he said.

“It’s a disgrace that such an ­action had to be taken by private individuals, and that the organs of the state took so long to start ­prosecuting anti-Semitic activity on our streets.”

Mr Leeser, who is a prominent Jewish MP, said Mr Haddad’s remarks had been broadcast on ­social media at a time when anti-Semitic incidents in Australia were occurring at an “unprecedented level” in the wake of the October 7, 2023, terror attacks.

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland condemned the use of anti-Semitic and racist speech, saying the Albanese government would “carefully consider” the judgment.

“There’s no place in Australia for anti-Semitism, racism, hatred or discrimination of any kind and we unequivocally condemn it,” a spokesman for Ms Rowland said.

“Every Australian, no matter their race or religion, should be able to enjoy their life in any Australian community, without prejudice or discrimination.”

Islamic preacher Wissam Haddad leaves court. Picture: Jane Dempster

Australia/Israel & Jewish ­Affairs Council executive director Colin Rubenstein said the judgment showed that 18C had “teeth”, and was an “essential, though not sufficient”, safeguard against ­racial vilification.

“This judgment shows that section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act has teeth and can be used remedially when police refuse to take any action, as occurred in this case,” Dr Rubenstein said.

“AIJAC has long argued that 18C is an essential, though not sufficient, safeguard for communal harmony in Australia, marginalising open racist incitement and vilification.

“This purpose has become even more important in the wake of the unprecedented explosion of anti-Semitism that has ­blighted this country since the mass terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023.”

ECAJ co-chief executive Peter Wertheim said the fact authorities had declined to prosecute Mr Haddad under existing legislation showed “clearly the laws are in need of reform”.

“It would have been preferable, really, for proceedings against Mr Haddad to be brought by the state in the form of criminal prosecution,” he said.

“We’re disappointed that that was never tested because we thought that there was scope for doing that. So to that extent, I think the public as a whole has been let down.

“But as a fallback position, we’ve had no alternative but to defend ourselves, and we’ve done so, and the judge today has vindicated that decision.”