Australia Tightens Gun and Anti-Terror Laws After Bondi Beach Mass Shooting
Australia’s most populous state has introduced sweeping new gun control and anti-terrorism measures following the deadly Bondi Beach shooting that killed 15 people at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on December 14.
The New South Wales (NSW) Parliament passed the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill early Wednesday after an emergency upper house sitting, approving it by 18 votes to 8.
Premier Chris Minns said the reforms would not please everyone but were necessary to protect residents after what he called a “terrorist act” that changed Sydney and NSW “forever.”
The new laws — described by Minns as the toughest in Australia — limit individual firearm licenses to four weapons, allowing farmers to own up to ten. All gun owners must now be members of a registered gun club. Additionally, police will gain expanded powers to curb protests for up to three months following a declared terror incident.
Authorities have also banned public displays of insignia linked to proscribed militant groups, including Islamic State, Hamas, and Hezbollah, with violators facing fines up to A$22,000 (US$14,742) or two years in prison.
Minns noted that chants such as “globalize the intifada,” frequently heard at pro-Palestine rallies, are among those that could now be deemed incitement. Investigators believe the two alleged Bondi gunmen were inspired by Islamic State ideology. One suspect, Sajid Akram, 50, was fatally shot by police, while his son Naveed, 24, faces 59 charges including murder and terrorism.
Civil rights groups including the Palestine Action Group, Jews Against the Occupation, and the First Nations-led Black Caucus have condemned the bill, calling it “draconian” and vowing a constitutional challenge. The coalition accused the state government of exploiting the tragedy to suppress political dissent and pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised a federal crackdown on hate speech and antisemitism, announcing plans to strengthen hate crime laws and introduce a gun buyback scheme. Albanese said he spoke with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Tuesday, inviting him for an official visit, amid criticism his government has not done enough to curb antisemitic incidents.
British Man’s Visa Canceled Over Nazi Symbol as Crackdown Widens
In a related move, Australian authorities have canceled the visa of a 43-year-old British national accused of displaying a banned Nazi Hakenkreuz symbol and promoting violence against Jews on social media.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the man, who was charged on December 8 under new anti-hate laws, had his visa revoked and is now in immigration detention pending deportation from Queensland.
“If you come to Australia on a visa, you are here as a guest. If you come for the purposes of hate, you can leave,” Burke told ABC News.
The government’s broader response includes legislative changes to make it easier to prosecute individuals for hate speech or cancel visas for inciting hatred. Burke said the threshold for proving harmful impact on the community would be lowered, arguing that “incitement to hate should be enough” to cancel a visa.