After Bondi Beach Massacre, NSW Passes Toughest Gun and Anti-Protest Laws in Australia

Ten days after a mass shooting shattered the peace at Bondi Beach, Australia’s most populous state has responded with a dual crackdown. New South Wales (NSW) on Wednesday passed not only its toughest-ever gun laws but also new anti-terror measures that critics warn could stifle democratic freedoms.

Sweeping Legal Changes

According to Reuters, the NSW state parliament passed the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 18 votes to eight during an emergency session. The legislation is a direct response to the December 14 attack at a Jewish Hannukah celebration, where 15 people were killed.

Under the new gun laws, individual licenses will be capped at four firearms, while farmers will be permitted to own up to 10. The anti-terror provisions grant police expanded powers to impose restrictions on protests for up to three months after a declared terror attack. Additionally, the public display of flags and symbols from prohibited organizations like Islamic State, Hamas, or Hezbollah is now outlawed, with penalties of up to two years in jail or a A$22,000 fine.

Division and Dissent

Premier Chris Minns said his government was doing everything possible to keep people safe, stating that "Sydney and New South Wales has changed forever." However, the bill has faced opposition. The rural-focused National Party argued the gun ownership caps would unfairly disadvantage farmers.

A coalition of activist groups, including the Palestine Action Group, has condemned the law and signaled plans for a constitutional challenge. In a joint statement, they described the legislation as "draconian anti-protest laws" and accused the government of "exploiting the horrific Bondi attack to advance a political agenda that suppresses political dissent."