Key Takeaways
- The NSW government has passed a bill that tightens gun ownership laws and restricts protests in response to the Bondi terror attack.
- The bill creates an offence for displaying terrorist symbols, restricts firearm possession, and allows the police commissioner to prevent protests for up to three months after a terrorism incident.
- The bill was opposed by the Nationals and faced a potential filibuster from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.
- The Greens successfully amended the bill to ban individuals from owning a gun if they have been investigated for terrorism-related offences or live with someone who has been investigated for such offences.
- The bill will now return to the lower house to be sealed and passed into law.
Introduction to the Bill
The New South Wales (NSW) government has introduced a new bill that aims to tighten gun ownership laws and restrict protests in the state. The bill, known as the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, was passed by the NSW upper house in the early hours of Christmas Eve after a lengthy and heated debate. The bill is a response to the recent Bondi terror attack and is designed to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The bill has three key pillars: creating an offence for displaying terrorist symbols, restricting firearm possession, and allowing the police commissioner to prevent protests for up to three months after a terrorism incident.
Debate and Opposition
The bill was met with opposition from various parties, including the Nationals and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party. The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party MPs, Robert Borsak and Mark Banasiak, threatened to filibuster the bill, which would have delayed its passage. The list of amendments to the bill was extensive, with hundreds of changes proposed by various parties and MPs. The debate was also marked by concerns from within the government’s own ranks, with Labor MP Anthony D’Adam expressing doubts about the link between words and actions. Despite the opposition, the bill was ultimately passed with an amendment from the Greens that bans individuals from owning a gun if they have been investigated for terrorism-related offences or live with someone who has been investigated for such offences.
Protest Laws and Constitutional Challenges
The bill’s changes to protest laws have been met with criticism from activists, who argue that the laws will remove the rights of individuals to gather and demand change. The laws allow the police commissioner to prevent protests for up to three months after a terrorism incident, which has raised concerns about the potential for abuse of power. The activists have threatened to challenge the laws in court, arguing that they are unconstitutional and infringe on the rights of citizens to freedom of assembly and expression. The NSW Premier, Chris Minns, has defended the laws, arguing that they are necessary to prevent terrorism and ensure public safety.
Gun Ownership Laws
The bill’s restrictions on gun ownership have been welcomed by many as a necessary measure to prevent terrorism. The Greens’ amendment to the bill, which bans individuals from owning a gun if they have been investigated for terrorism-related offences or live with someone who has been investigated for such offences, is seen as a significant step forward in preventing gun violence. The amendment is designed to prevent individuals who may pose a risk to public safety from accessing firearms. The bill also creates an offence for displaying terrorist symbols, such as the IS flag, which is seen as a necessary measure to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The passage of the bill marks a significant step forward in the NSW government’s efforts to prevent terrorism and ensure public safety. The bill will now return to the lower house to be sealed and passed into law. While the bill has been met with opposition and criticism, it is seen as a necessary measure to prevent terrorism and protect the community. The NSW government has defended the bill, arguing that it strikes a balance between public safety and individual rights. As the bill becomes law, it will be important to monitor its implementation and ensure that it is used in a way that is fair and proportionate to the risks posed by terrorism.
