Anthony Albanese has recalled parliament two weeks early to debate urgent legislation introducing tougher hate speech laws and gun reform in response to the Bondi terror attack. MPs will return on 19 and 20 January to consider a single bill that creates a new racial vilification offence, cracks down on 'hate preachers', and establishes the biggest gun buyback programme since the Port Arthur massacre.
The legislation will also ensure offenders driven by extremism have that motivation factored into sentencing, strengthen bans on prohibited symbols, and create a new offence for inciting hatred to intimidate or harass. The home affairs minister will gain new powers to cancel or refuse visas, and a formal scheme to list hate groups will be introduced.
Albanese denied the move was an attempt to wedge the Coalition and Greens on gun ownership. 'The terrorists at Bondi beach had hatred in their minds, but guns in their hands. This law will deal with both,' he said. The sitting will also include condolence motions for the 15 people killed at Bondi last month.
Jewish groups welcomed the reforms, with Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Peter Wertheim calling it 'a promising sign'. However, opposition leader Sussan Ley expressed scepticism, accusing Albanese of playing politics by bundling separate issues in one bill. One Nation and some Nationals MPs oppose tighter gun laws, and states like Tasmania insist the federal government fund the buyback fully.
The attorney general, Michelle Rowland, said the laws would be 'the toughest hate laws Australia has ever seen'. The bill will be reviewed by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security before introduction, and all parties will have a week to consider it.
