Live: It’s ‘disappointing’ that Laos has yet to take up AFP offer to investigate methanol poisoning deaths, says Clare

Israel’s Foreign Ministry has welcomed the passing of the Hate Crimes Bill by the Australian Parliament on Thursday, which imposes minimum jail terms for terror offences.

The Albanese government folded to Coalition pressure to pass the legislation that aims to expand and strengthen hate speech laws, including threats of violence against individuals or groups based on their race, disability or sexual orientation.

The laws, sparked by a spate of antisemitic attacks, include mandatory minimum sentences of six years for terror offences and one year for displaying a hate symbol.

Here’s a statement from Israel’s Foreign Minister:

“We welcome Australia’s decision to pass legislation against hate crimes in response to the alarming rise in antisemitism.

“No Jew in Australia—or anywhere in the world—should have to live in fear.”

The Netanyahu government has previously been critical of the Albanese government’s response to antisemitic incidents in Australia. 

Education Minister Jason Clare appealed to the Laos authorities to let the AFP assist with the investigation.

“We would just encourage the Laos authorities to take up this offer because we can help.

“The advice I’ve got is that they haven’t rejected the offer but they haven’t taken it up

“The offer still stands.”

Here’s more of what Mr Clare said on the Laos investigation:

“This is really disappointing.

“Two young Australian women died here – we need to know, how this happened.

“Their mums and dads deserve to know how they died.

“We need to make sure the people responsible for this are brought to justice as well and also make sure that this doesn’t happen to any other young Australians.”

Yesterday, we reported that Laos hadn’t taken up the Australian Federal Police (AFP) offer to assist the investigation into the methanol poisoning deaths of two Australian teenagers backpacking there.

In November, Bianca Jones, Holly Bowles and four other foreign nationals died after drinking alcoholic drinks containing methanol at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng.

Minister for Education Jason Clare was asked about this on Channel 7’s Sunrise this morning.

He said it was “disappointing” but stressed that Laos authorities hadn’t rejected the AFP offer – they just hadn’t accepted it yet.