In the wake of the devastating Bondi beach terror attack in December, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Susan Ley have come together to pass new legislation targeting hate speech and gun control. The first parliamentary session of 2026 saw the two leaders reach a compromise, paving the way for these critical reforms to become law.
After widespread opposition to the initial draft, Albanese agreed to split the legislation, separating the hate speech provisions from the gun control measures. This pragmatic approach has allowed both sets of laws to progress, with the support of the Greens and a majority of the Coalition.
The hate speech laws are designed to combat anti-Semitism, granting the government new powers to ban hate groups such as neo-Nazis and Hizb ut-Tahrir. The legislation will also enable the refusal or revocation of visas for individuals with extremist views seeking to enter Australia. Crucially, the laws will be subject to a two-year review by the joint committee on intelligence and security, with the opposition consulted on any decisions to list or delist hate organisations.
Alongside the hate speech crackdown, the parliament is also set to approve a sweeping gun control bill. This will establish the largest buyback scheme since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, while also requiring intelligence agencies, including ASIO, to conduct criminal background checks for all firearm licence applications.
The breakthrough comes after Albanese’s initial decision to split the draft laws, a move that helped overcome widespread opposition. Liberal MPs have now agreed to support the revised legislation, subject to further amendments, including provisions targeting so-called “hate preachers.”
“What we’re doing now should have happened right at the beginning,” said Shadow Home Affairs Minister Jonno Duniam. “This is a national response requiring unity, requiring everyone to be on the same page in order to – in a uniform, united way – stamp out anti-Semitism and extremism.”
In an ultimatum to the opposition, Albanese has made it clear that these laws will not be revisited if the Coalition fails to support them on Tuesday. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the Bondi tragedy, this bipartisan effort to enhance community safety and combat hate represents a crucial step forward.
