Albanese government will reverse stance on mandatory terms to head off opposition attacks on antisemitism

• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

The Albanese government will attempt to pass minimum jail sentences of between one and six years for hate speech crimes in a bid to stave off opposition attacks on its response to antisemitism before the federal election.

The move marks a significant departure from Labor’s own national policy platform, which opposes minimum sentencing laws which it says do “not reduce crime”, “lead to unjust outcomes” and are “often discriminatory in practice”.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email