The Australian federal parliament is being recalled early from its summer recess as the Albanese government moves to fast-track a legislative response to the Bondi Junction mass shooting that occurred on 14 December.
Urgent Legislative Agenda on Hate and Guns
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that MPs are expected to arrive in Canberra before Australia Day, well ahead of the scheduled 3 February return. The government aims to rush through two key reforms promised in the wake of the alleged terrorist attack at Bondi beach.
The first is a suite of stronger hate speech laws designed to crack down on so-called "hate preachers." The proposed legislation will create a new offence for religious or community leaders who promote violence. It will also establish a regime to list organisations whose leaders engage in hate speech that advocates violence or racial hatred.
Furthermore, the laws intend to outlaw "serious vilification" based on race and the advocacy of racial supremacy. A new aggravated offence will specifically target adults who attempt to radicalise children. Attorney General Michelle Rowland highlighted the urgency last month, noting that almost half of the 33 individuals before the courts on terrorism charges at that time were minors.
National Gun Buyback and State Controls
The second major component is a push for tighter gun controls, headlined by a national firearm buyback scheme. The federal government will help fund what is planned to be the largest buyback since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, with costs split 50:50 with state and territory governments.
This federal initiative is designed to complement new gun control laws that state leaders agreed to legislate following an emergency national cabinet meeting. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has already acted, recalling parliament before Christmas to pass laws limiting individuals to four firearms, with higher allowances for farmers and sports shooters.
The federal government wants all other states and territories to pass their own equivalent laws no later than 1 July.
Political Divisions and the Royal Commission Push
The government's gun control agenda faces potential resistance from gun advocacy groups and the Nationals party, which could split the federal Coalition on the issue. However, with Greens support for tougher laws and a buyback, Labor is expected to have the numbers to pass legislation in the Senate.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley stated the Coalition would take a "sensible look" at the proposed laws but argued that gun control was "not the main game." Instead, the Coalition is preparing to intensify its campaign for a federal royal commission into antisemitism, inspired by the political tactics that led to the banking royal commission in 2017.
Ley declared the opposition would "leave no stone unturned" to pressure the government into establishing the inquiry, stating they were prepared to drag the Prime Minister "kicking and screaming" to act.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers reiterated the government's focus remains on "urgent and immediate" steps, which include the new hate speech and gun laws, alongside existing reviews and the forthcoming NSW state-based royal commission. He acknowledged calls for a federal antisemitism inquiry came from a "good place" but confirmed the government's position had not shifted.
