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NSW recalls parliament to debate new security measures
New South Wales lawmakers convened an emergency session on Monday to push through legislation targeting firearms, protests, and hate speech in response to the recent Bondi shootings that left 15 dead. The proposals have sparked backlash from civil liberties groups and gun owners, who argue the measures overreach and stifle democratic rights.
Controversial protest restrictions draw criticism
The reforms include a ban on the phrase "globalise the intifada," which NSW Premier Chris Minns described as a call for violence that fosters "heightened disunity" in Sydney. The term, originating from Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation, has been interpreted by some as a violent incitement and by others as a symbol of peaceful resistance.
Police will also gain expanded powers to disperse protests near places of worship and remove face coverings from demonstrators suspected of even minor offenses-a shift from previous rules requiring suspicion of indictable crimes. Penalties for violations will increase.
"These laws are an affront to our right to assemble and communicate," said Timothy Roberts, president of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties. "Silence is not peace; it can also reflect oppression."
Timothy Roberts, NSW Council for Civil Liberties
Roberts argued the measures contradict a recent state Supreme Court ruling that struck down similar "move-on powers" at religious sites, citing Australia's implied constitutional freedom of political communication.
Gun ownership limits spark debate
Under the new laws, most license holders in NSW will be restricted to owning no more than four firearms, with exceptions allowing farmers and sport shooters to possess up to 10. The changes mirror reforms introduced in Western Australia earlier this year, though other Australian states impose no such caps.
Sajid Akram, one of the Bondi attackers, legally owned six firearms at the time of the shooting. The reforms also shorten gun license renewal periods from five years to two and mandate a review of permitted firearm types.
"We're being punished for agency failings," said Mark Banasiak of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party. "The real problem is a climate of hate that's been allowed to fester."
Mark Banasiak, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party
Walter Mikac, whose family was killed in Australia's 1996 Port Arthur massacre, supported the reforms, calling them a necessary step to "close critical gaps in our gun laws."
Broader crackdown on hate speech and symbols
The government will also empower police to ban protests for up to three months following a terrorist attack and strengthen penalties for hate speech. Palestine Action Group spokesperson Josh Lees condemned the measures as "incredibly draconian," warning they could erode Australia's tradition of free expression.
David Ossip, president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, hailed the ban on "intifada" chants as a "watershed moment" in combating hate, while defending expanded police powers as compatible with democratic values.
"The right to protest has never included the right to hide your face and call for violence," Ossip said.
David Ossip, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies
Premier defends measures as necessary for safety
Premier Minns acknowledged the reforms might be seen as excessive but insisted they were essential to protect communities. "Some may feel we've gone too far," he said, "but our priority is keeping people safe."
