By Zac de Silva and Tess Ikonomou in Canberra

Hate speech reforms are before the parliament as the coalition declares its in principle support for the measures designed to crackdown on anti-Semitism.

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland introduced the draft laws to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, saying that would send a message that “light will prosper over darkness”.

“Our nation is strongest when we choose respect over division, and we must continue to invest in a community where everyone belongs, where everyone can thrive,” she said.

“The passage of the combating anti-Semitism, hate and extremism, criminal and migration laws bill will be a decisive step forward in achieving this.

“It will send a loud and unequivocal message to all corners of this country that we must stand united in the face of racial hatred.”

Shadow attorney-general Andrew Wallace said the coalition would support the changes in principle.

He said the opposition had sought to ensure the measures were targeted, proportionate and lawful.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is understood to have struck a deal with the government, guaranteeing Liberal support for the legislation.

But the Nationals have not yet declared their position on the key reforms brought about by the December 14 massacre targeting a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.

A Liberal source said their regional partner was still working out “who they are and what they stand for”.

Changes include cracking down on groups that voice hate against people of other faiths, bringing in stronger background checks for firearm owners, and setting up a national gun buyback scheme.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has previously said he would walk away from reforms this term of parliament if they failed to garner support.

Labor originally planned to introduce the gun and hate speech reforms in a single package, but was forced to split the bill due to fierce opposition to proposed racial vilification laws from the coalition and the Greens.

Nationals MPs still have concerns about the impact the reforms could have on free speech, with Queensland senator Matt Canavan raising issues with the framework for hate group listing, arguing its too broad.

Senator Canavan said he could not support the bill drafted in its current form.

“Giving a power to a government to ban an entire group is an extremely serious change to our laws,” he told ABC Radio.

The bill tightens the definition of a preacher or religious leader, introducing mandatory two-year reviews of the legislation and requiring consultation with the opposition leader when listing an extremist organisation.

The Greens have said they will not back the hate speech legislation due to the effect it could have on political commentary including protests, leaving the coalition as the only viable partner to pass the bill through the Senate.

While provisions making it illegal to vilify someone based on their race have been dropped, the watered-down legislation would still allow the government to effectively outlaw groups that promote hatred, likely including neo-Nazi organisation the National Socialist Network and radical Islamist collective Hizb ut-Tahrir.

The proposed laws would also allow the government to refuse or revoke the visas of people who hold extremist views.