Australian state passes tougher gun and protest laws after Bondi Beach attack

Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales (NSW) , on Wednesday passed sweeping new gun and anti-terror legislation following the deadly Bondi Beach shooting that killed 15 people at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on December 14 , leaving dozens injured. The attack, which authorities believe was inspired by the militant Sunni group Islamic State , has prompted the state government to tighten firearm ownership rules, curb public demonstrations, and outlaw symbols associated with extremist groups.

The Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill passed the upper house by 18 votes to eight during an emergency sitting, after gaining approval in the lower house with support from both the governing Labor Party and opposition Liberal Party . The National Party , the Liberal coalition’s junior partner, opposed the gun reforms, arguing that ownership caps would unfairly disadvantage farmers.

Under the new law, individual firearms licences are now capped at four, while farmers are permitted up to ten guns, and all licence holders must maintain membership in a gun club. Police have been granted additional powers to impose restrictions on protests for up to three months following a declared terror attack, and public display of flags or symbols linked to proscribed militant organisations, including ISIS, Hamas, and Hezbollah, has been banned, with offenders facing up to two years in jail or fines of A$22,000 ($14,742). Authorities also emphasised that hateful statements used to intimidate or vilify communities, such as pro-Palestine chants, will no longer be tolerated.

Premier Chris Minns acknowledged that not all residents would support the reforms but stressed that the government’s priority is public safety. “Sydney and New South Wales have changed forever as a result of that terrorist activity,” Minns said. The alleged attackers, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who was shot dead by police, and his 24-year-old son Naveed , who faces 59 charges including murder and terrorism, are believed to have been motivated by extremist ideology.

The legislation has drawn criticism from activist groups, including the Palestine Action Group, Jews Against the Occupation, and the Blak Caucus, who announced plans to mount a constitutional challenge. The groups described the reforms as “draconian anti-protest laws” aimed at suppressing political dissent and criticism of Israel while curtailing democratic freedoms.

At the federal level, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed to tackle hate speech, with his government planning new legislation to make it easier to prosecute individuals promoting hatred and violence, as well as to deny or cancel visas for offenders. Albanese has also proposed a gun buyback plan and engaged internationally, speaking with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and inviting him for an official visit to Australia.

The NSW reforms, described by Minns as the toughest gun laws in Australia, are intended to prevent mass shootings, combat extremist activity, and curb antisemitism, though they have sparked debate over the balance between public safety and democratic freedoms.