Albanese recalls parliament to fast-track hate speech and gun reforms

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will recall parliament two weeks early, bringing MPs back to Canberra on 19 and 20 January to debate urgent hate speech and gun laws proposed in the wake of the Bondi terror attack. The government said the new hate speech and anti‑vilification laws would be considered in the same bill as provisions to establish what it called the biggest gun buyback program since the Port Arthur massacre.

Measures described by the government include a new racial vilification offence, listing groups as prohibited hate groups (a lower threshold than the terror group listing), factoring extremist motivation into sentencing, strengthening bans on prohibited symbols, a new offence for inciting hatred to intimidate or harass, and new visa cancellation and refusal powers for the home affairs minister.

Albanese said the changes would target so‑called "hate preachers" and denied the plan was an attempt to wedge Nationals and Liberals opposed to tougher gun rules, saying: "The terrorists at Bondi beach had hatred in their minds, but guns in their hands. This law will deal with both." Parliament will also sit for condolence motions for the 15 people killed at Bondi last month.

The bill will be briefed to Jewish groups, the opposition and crossbench MPs, with the legislation to be released publicly tomorrow and reviewed by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security ahead of its introduction.

Key Topics

Politics, Anthony Albanese, Bondi Terror Attack, Hate Speech Laws, Gun Buyback Program, Canberra