Australia news LIVE: Parliament recalled to pass hate speech, gun laws in response to Bondi attack
What's happening today?
By Angus Dalton
In a swift and unprecedented move, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has recalled parliament two weeks early to address critical legislation following the Bondi terror attack. The government aims to pass two bills today, focusing on gun reform and hate speech.
Here's a breakdown of the key points:
- Gun Reform: The House of Representatives will debate gun reform measures this morning, followed by hate speech laws in the afternoon. The Senate will meet at 2 pm, starting with question time, with votes on gun reform expected at 6:30 pm and hate speech laws at 10 pm.
- Hate Speech Laws: The government initially proposed a single bill covering both gun reform and hate speech. However, due to opposition from the Coalition and the Greens on anti-vilification laws, the bill was split. The contentious anti-vilification provisions, including a new offence for promoting hatred, were dropped after civil society groups raised concerns about potential free speech limitations.
- Concerns and Reactions: Labor MPs and Jewish leaders express worry that removing anti-vilification laws might protect Islamic hate preachers. Several Coalition MPs reject gun reforms, advocating for a focus on Islamic extremism instead. The Nationals' deputy leader, Kevin Hogan, criticizes the gun laws, while the Shadow Attorney-General, Andrew Wallace, calls the reforms 'fundamentally flawed'.
- National Firearms Register: Independent MP Zali Steggall calls for a national digital gun register, highlighting the current paper-based system's inadequacy in managing gun ownership in dense urban areas.
- International Visitors: Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to visit Australia from February 7, paying tribute to the victims of the Bondi terror attack. The visit has sparked debates, with Labor Friends of Palestine urging Albanese to rescind the invitation.
- Coalition's Critique: Coalition MPs on the security and intelligence committee have issued a scathing verdict on the proposed gun restrictions and hate crimes offences, describing the legislation as 'poorly drafted' and 'insufficiently safeguarded'.
- Queensland's Stance: Queensland Premier David Crisafulli's cabinet has resolved to introduce new laws in response to the antisemitic attack but has not yet detailed the measures. The state will not support the federal gun buyback scheme, presenting an additional challenge to the government's reforms.
The live coverage of parliament's proceedings can be watched below, offering a front-row view of the legislative process in action.
