Key Takeaways:
- The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has stated that it is up to the state’s police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, to decide when to activate new powers to ban protests.
- The new laws give police the power to ban protests for up to three months after a terrorist event and include enhanced controls on gun ownership.
- The laws limit the number of guns a person can own, ban rapid-fire guns, and prevent appeals when a licence is refused by police.
- The NSW government is planning a buy-back scheme for guns, similar to the one implemented after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996.
- Three groups have announced plans to launch legal action challenging the laws on free speech grounds.
Introduction to New Laws
The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has announced that the activation of new powers to ban protests is at the discretion of the state’s police commissioner, Mal Lanyon. The new laws, which were passed in a late-night sitting of the NSW upper house and affirmed by the lower house, give police the power to ban protests for up to three months after a terrorist event. The laws also include enhanced controls on gun ownership, including limits on the number of guns a person can own, a ban on rapid-fire guns, and the prevention of appeals when a licence is refused by police. The premier has made it clear that he would like the new powers to be triggered quickly, citing the need to keep the people of New South Wales safe.
Details of the New Laws
The new laws introduce a limit of four guns for recreational shooters and 10 for professional shooters and farmers, which will apply to new purchases as of Wednesday afternoon. Gun owners who already own more than the new limits will have a short time to comply, and the NSW government is planning a buy-back scheme similar to the one rolled out after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996. The details of the buy-back scheme have not yet been announced, but it will be jointly funded by the federal and state governments. The premier has stated that activating the ban on protests is necessary to ensure the safety of the people of New South Wales, saying that "words can lead to actions" and that the vast majority of Australians support the changes.
Reaction to the New Laws
Three groups who regularly organize demonstrations in Sydney have announced plans to launch legal action challenging the laws on free speech grounds as soon as they were passed. The groups have stated that they do not have plans for any immediate protests, but they are concerned about the impact of the new laws on their ability to organize peaceful demonstrations. The Greens have also expressed opposition to the new laws, with MP Jenny Leong stating that "a healthy democracy does not crack down on peaceful protest." Despite this opposition, the bill passed with the support of Labor and the Liberals, although the Nationals and the Shooters Fishers and Farmers party opposed it.
Enhanced Security Measures
The premier has announced that New South Wales can expect enhanced security on Sydney streets during the Christmas and New Year break. The police will have a bigger presence, and they will have the weapons in place that they deem appropriate to keep the people of the state safe. The premier has stated that the government will not apologize for taking these measures, which may include the use of weapons that are not commonly seen on the streets. The enhanced security measures are intended to provide reassurance to the public and to prevent any potential terrorist attacks during the holiday period.
Future Legislation
The premier has foreshadowed more legislation when parliament returns on 3 February to deal with hate speech and symbols, including chants at protests that he considers objectionable. The government is also considering amendments to the bill, including one moved by the Greens that requires a firearms holder to be a person who has never been investigated by a commonwealth or state law enforcement or intelligence agency for terrorism-related offences or for association with members of a prescribed terrorist organisation. The amendment also states that a gun licence should not be granted to a person who lives with a person who has been investigated for terrorism-related offences. These changes are intended to further strengthen the laws and to prevent individuals who may pose a risk to public safety from obtaining firearms.
