ACT Policing has stated that a series of white supremacist flyers being distributed to letterboxes in Canberra do not breach any current laws, despite their offensive content. This assessment comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announce plans to legislate tougher federal hate speech laws.
Flyers Stoke Division After Sydney Attack
The flyers, which contain offensive references to migrants from non-European backgrounds and call for white Australians to "organise to regain control of this country," have been distributed in the Canberra suburbs of Gungahlin and Woden. Their reappearance follows the recent anti-Semitic terrorist attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
In a statement, ACT Policing acknowledged the material was "objectionable in a modern and inclusive society" but confirmed that no criminal offences had been identified relating to the content or symbols used. The force emphasised it would continue to assess such material and investigate where criminality is found.
Government Announces Legislative Crackdown
Responding to the incident and a broader national concern, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke unveiled plans on Thursday, December 18, 2025, for a new suite of federal laws targeting hate speech.
The proposed legislation, slated for introduction next year, will include several key measures:
- A new, narrow federal offence for "serious vilification based on race and/or advocating racial supremacy."
- Making hate an aggravating factor in sentencing for crimes involving online threats and harassment.
- Increased penalties for hate speech that promotes violence.
- A new aggravated hate speech offence targeting religious and community leaders who promote violence.
- A regime for listing organisations whose leaders engage in hate speech promoting violence or racial hatred.
Mr Burke stressed that while the new laws would lower the threshold for offences, existing criminal provisions were already in place. "Anyone who wants to engage in hate crimes, hate speech or use of hate symbols, needs to know that even though we are lowering the threshold, criminal offenses are already there," he said on Friday.
Existing Laws and Political Response
Laws passed in February 2025, which criminalise advocating violence against groups, advocating terrorism, or displaying prohibited symbols, have been used only four times nationally.
When questioned on the timing of the government's action, Prime Minister Albanese defended his government's record, noting it was the first to introduce hate speech laws and outlaw Nazi symbols in Australia. "Can governments always do better? Yes, they always can," he told reporters in Canberra.
ACT Independent Senator David Pocock, whose office was alerted to the flyers by a constituent, condemned the material. "This attempt to use fear to stoke racism or use hatred to divide goes against the spirit that has made Australia such a great multicultural country," Senator Pocock said. He urged a sensible conversation about migration without demonising migrants.
The Australian Federal Police declined to comment on whether the flyers breached federal or territory laws.
ACT Policing has encouraged anyone with information about the creation or distribution of the flyers to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
