What's happened
On January 20, 2026, Australia’s Parliament passed two separate bills introducing stricter gun control and anti-hate speech laws. The gun reforms include a national buyback scheme targeting surplus and newly restricted firearms, tighter background checks involving intelligence agencies, and limits on gun ownership. The hate speech law allows banning extremist groups and imposes harsher penalties for hate preachers. Both laws respond to the December 14 Bondi Beach terror attack that killed 15 people.
What's behind the headline?
Legislative Response to Terrorism and Hate
Australia’s swift passage of separate gun control and anti-hate speech bills marks a decisive governmental response to the Bondi Beach massacre. The split of the original omnibus bill into two reflects political compromises necessary to secure passage amid opposition from the Liberal-National coalition and the Greens.
Gun Control Measures
The national buyback scheme, the largest since 1996, targets surplus and newly restricted firearms, aiming to reduce the record 4.1 million guns in circulation. Enhanced background checks now incorporate intelligence agency input, including citizenship verification, directly addressing how the Bondi attackers legally obtained firearms despite prior intelligence scrutiny.
Hate Speech Legislation
The anti-hate laws empower the government to outlaw extremist groups like Hizb ut-Tahrir and neo-Nazi organizations, and impose up to 12-year jail terms for hate preachers. However, the legislation was watered down to gain Liberal support, dropping provisions on racial vilification and narrowing definitions to avoid overreach.
Political Dynamics and Civil Liberties
The Greens oppose the hate speech bill, warning of chilling effects on political debate and protest. Legal experts have criticized the bill’s complexity and potential unintended consequences. The Nationals abstained or opposed parts of the legislation, citing free speech concerns.
Broader Implications
Prime Minister Albanese’s commitment to a royal commission into antisemitism and the Bondi attack signals a long-term governmental focus on extremism. The reforms will likely reduce firearm availability and extremist group activity, but balancing security with civil liberties remains contentious. The legislation sets a precedent for how democracies can respond to domestic terrorism and hate crimes with legislative tools.
What’s Next
The bills now await final Senate approval, expected to pass with cross-party support. Implementation details of the buyback and enforcement of hate speech laws will be critical to their effectiveness. The royal commission’s findings, due by December 14, 2026, will further shape Australia’s approach to antisemitism and extremism.
What the papers say
Shweta Sharma of The Independent reports that the gun law passed with a 96-45 vote in the House, enabling a government-funded buyback scheme targeting surplus and newly restricted firearms, with costs shared with states. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke emphasized that the Bondi attackers would have been unable to legally obtain guns under the new laws. The Independent highlights the political opposition from the Liberal-National coalition and Greens.
SBS details the contentious political debate, noting that the Liberal Party supported the hate speech bill after technical amendments, while the Nationals opposed it over free speech concerns. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s amendments tightened definitions and increased parliamentary oversight. The Greens warned of a chilling effect on political commentary, with their leader Larissa Waters calling the bill "dangerous."
The New York Times underscores the rushed nature of the legislation and concerns about freedom of expression, quoting Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi calling the hate speech bill "appalling" and warning it would stifle protest and civil rights. It also notes the government dropped provisions on racial vilification due to lack of support.
The Times of Israel focuses on the national soul-searching following the Bondi attack, quoting Prime Minister Albanese: "The terrorists had hate in their hearts, but they also had high-powered rifles in their hands." It highlights the royal commission announced to investigate antisemitism and the attack’s circumstances.
Reuters and The New Arab emphasize the scale of firearms in Australia, with 4.1 million guns nationwide and 1.1 million in New South Wales. They report on the new laws’ provisions for tougher background checks using intelligence information and limits on gun ownership.
Sky News and Al Jazeera provide context on the parliamentary session recalled early by Albanese, the largest national buyback since 1996, and the political divisions, with Liberal opposition criticizing the government’s approa
How we got here
The legislation follows a December 14, 2025, terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, Sydney, where a father and son, inspired by ISIS, killed 15 people at a Jewish Hanukkah event. The attack exposed gaps in gun control and hate speech laws, prompting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to recall Parliament early from summer recess to pass reforms. Australia already has a history of gun buybacks after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, but firearms numbers have since risen to a record 4.1 million nationwide.
Go deeper
- How will the national gun buyback scheme work?
- What groups are targeted by the new hate speech laws?
- What are the main criticisms of the legislation?
Common question
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What Are Australia’s New Gun and Hate Crime Laws?
Australia has recently introduced significant legislation in response to rising violence and hate crimes, including a record gun buyback scheme and tougher penalties for hate crimes. These laws aim to prevent tragedies like the December Bondi Beach attack and address increasing firearm ownership and antisemitism. If you're wondering how these changes might affect gun ownership, regional restrictions, or the legal landscape in Australia, read on for clear answers to your most pressing questions.
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