Australian state parliament reconvenes to push through stricter gun laws after Bondi mass shooting

Australia’s New South Wales state parliament was recalled on Monday to vote on proposed new laws that would significantly tighten firearm ownership, ban the display of terror symbols and impose new restrictions on protests, following the deadly mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

The parliament has been recalled for two days to debate the firearm legislation, which would cap the number of guns an individual can own at four, or up to 10 for specific groups such as farmers. Currently, there is no limit on firearm ownership in the state, provided the owner can justify the need to police. According to Australian Broadcasting Corp., citing police data, more than 50 people in New South Wales own over 100 firearms each.

One of the alleged Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police and was licensed to own six firearms. His 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, has been charged with 59 offences, including murder and terrorism, police said.

Fifteen people were killed and dozens injured in the December 14 attack during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. The shooting has shocked the nation and prompted renewed calls for stricter gun laws and stronger measures to combat antisemitism.

The proposed legislation would also grant police expanded powers to remove face coverings during protests and rallies. In addition, the state government has vowed to ban the chant “globalize the intifada,” saying it incites violence and threatens community safety.

Jewish leaders on Sunday called for the establishment of a royal commission — Australia’s most powerful form of public inquiry — to investigate the Bondi attack. Opposition Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley backed the demand on Monday and said she had urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to meet her to review the proposed terms of reference for such an inquiry.

Albanese approval dips

Prime Minister Albanese has come under growing criticism from opponents who argue his government has failed to adequately address a rise in antisemitism. He was booed by sections of the crowd at a memorial event in Bondi on Sunday, attended by tens of thousands of people, one week after the shooting.

The government has said it has consistently condemned antisemitism and pointed to legislation passed over the past two years to criminalise hate speech and doxxing. It has also cited its counterterrorism measures, including banning Nazi salutes, and noted that Iran’s ambassador was expelled earlier this year after Canberra accused Tehran of directing antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne.

“You’ve seen us crack down on hate speech. You’ve seen us criminalise doxxing. You’ve seen us be very clear about counterterrorism laws banning Nazi salutes and so forth,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong told ABC Radio on Monday.

A poll conducted for the Sydney Morning Herald among 1,010 voters, released on Monday, showed Albanese’s approval rating fell 15 points to minus nine from plus six at the start of December — the lowest level since his election victory in May.

Authorities on Monday began clearing flowers, candles, letters and other tributes left by the public at Bondi Beach. Officials said the items would be preserved for display at the Sydney Jewish Museum and the Australian Jewish Historical Society.

Health officials said 13 people remain hospitalised, including four who are in critical but stable condition.