Australian state passes tougher gun and anti-terror laws after Bondi beach shooting
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Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales, has passed tougher gun control and anti terrorism laws following last month’s mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, tightening firearm ownership rules and expanding police powers over protests and extremist activity.
The state parliament cleared the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill early Wednesday after the upper house approved it by 18 votes to eight.
The lower house had passed the legislation on Tuesday with support from both the governing centre-left Labor Party and the opposition Liberal Party.
The rural-based National Party opposed key aspects of the gun reforms, arguing that ownership caps would unfairly disadvantage farmers.
The legislation was introduced after the December 14 attack during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, in which 15 people were killed, and dozens were injured. The incident was Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades and renewed calls for stricter gun laws and stronger action against antisemitism.
Police believe the two alleged attackers were inspired by the Islamic State group. One suspect, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police, while his 24-year-old son Naveed, has been charged with 59 offences, including murder and terrorism.
Under the new law, most individual firearms licences will be capped at four guns, while farmers will be allowed to own up to 10.
Police will gain expanded powers to restrict public protests for up to three months following a declared terror attack, and the public display of symbols linked to banned terrorist organisations will be prohibited.
The legislation also bans the chant “Globalise the intifada,” which the government says promotes violence and social unrest.
Civil liberties and activist groups have criticised the measures and indicated they will challenge them in court, describing the laws as draconian and an attack on democratic freedoms. At the federal level, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged broader action against hate speech, including new laws to ease prosecutions and deny visas to those promoting hatred or violence.