Australia has introduced strict laws to combat hate crimes, introducing mandatory minimum sentences for a range of terrorism offenses and displaying hate symbols, following a spate of antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne. The new laws passed Thursday toughen punishment for hate crimes, including minimum six-year prison sentences for terrorism offenses, and at least 12-month sentences for less serious hate crimes – such as giving a Nazi salute in public. The legislation also creates new offenses for threatening force or violence against targeted groups and people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion or ethnicity. The changes were first proposed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor government last year amid an uptick in antisemitic attacks and calls for tougher penalties for offenders. At the time, the proposed legislation didn’t include mandatory sentencing, which Albanese has previously vehemently opposed. However, this week the government finally relented following criticism from…