A sweeping new bill to combat antisemitism, hate and extremism was rushed through federal parliament this week with minimal scrutiny and major rule-of-law flaws. Its vague definitions, retrospective reach and expanded executive powers risk undermining rights, due process and democratic accountability.
Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny – and this one ticks every box
The ever relevant English politician, lawyer and political philosopher Edmund Burke told his constituents in Bristol, nearly 250 years ago – “Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny.” How right he was then and how right he is now.