Australia’s most populous state has passed sweeping new gun control and anti-terror laws following a mass shooting at Bondi Beach, tightening firearm ownership rules, banning the public display of terrorist symbols and expanding police powers to restrict protests.
The New South Wales parliament approved the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill early on Wednesday after the upper house passed the legislation by 18 votes to eight during an emergency sitting.
The Bondi Beach attack, Australia’s deadliest shooting in almost three decades, intensified calls for stricter gun laws and tougher action against antisemitism.
Premier Chris Minns said the reforms were aimed at protecting public safety in the wake of the 14 December attack at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration, in which 15 people were killed and dozens wounded.
"Sydney and New South Wales have changed forever as a result of that terrorist activity," Minns told reporters.
The bill had earlier passed the lower house on Tuesday with support from the governing centre-left Labor Party and the opposition Liberal Party.
The rural-based National Party, the Liberals’ junior coalition partner, opposed the gun reforms, arguing that ownership caps would unfairly disadvantage farmers.
Under the new laws, firearms licences will be capped at four weapons per individual, while farmers will be allowed to own up to 10 guns. Gun club membership will become mandatory for all licence holders.
Police will also be granted expanded powers to impose restrictions on protests for up to three months following a declared terrorist incident.
The legislation outlaws the public display of flags and symbols linked to banned militant organisations, including Islamic State, Hamas and Hezbollah. Offenders face up to two years in prison or fines of up to A$22,000 (about $14,700).
Minns said concerns had been raised about chants such as "globalise the intifada", often heard at pro-Palestinian protests, arguing that language used to vilify or intimidate people must be prohibited.
Police said the two alleged attackers were inspired by the Sunni militant group Islamic State. Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police at the scene, while his 24-year-old son, Naveed, has been charged with 59 offences, including murder and terrorism.
Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates have signed a Letter of Intent on defence cooperation during President Ilham Aliyev’s working visit to Abu D...
Belgian authorities are examining suspected cases of infants falling ill after consuming recalled Nestle baby formula, amid warnings that confirmed in...
France has approved its 2026 budget after Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes in the National Assembly on Monday, ending...
Rome has begun charging tourists 2 euros to step down to the Trevi Fountain’s basin area, a measure aimed at easing overtourism and funding maintena...
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday announced a new trade agreement with India that will see Washington reduce tariffs on Indian imports, after New ...
Dozens of beaches along Australia's east coast, including in Sydney, closed on Tuesday (20 January) after four shark attacks in two days, as heavy rains left waters murky and more likely to attract the animals.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 20th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Australia is poised to pass new laws to enable a national gun buyback and tighten background checks for gun licences in response to the country’s worst mass shooting in decades at a Jewish festival last month.
Thousands of firefighters worked tirelessly on Saturday in Victoria, Australia, to combat bushfires that have destroyed homes, left tens of thousands without power, and scorched large areas of bushland.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States has begun negotiations with European leaders over Greenland and that an agreement is already taking shape.
The United States accused Cuba of interfering with the work of its top diplomat in Havana on Sunday (1 February) after small groups of Cubans jeered at him during meetings with residents and church representatives.
Dmitry Medvedev, said European countries have failed to defeat Russia in Ukraine and have instead inflicted serious economic damage on themselves, as he criticised EU policy, praised Donald Trump as a leader who seeks peace, and said Russia would “soon” achieve military victory in the war.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that any U.S. military attack on Iran would spark a wider regional conflict, Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.
U.S. president Donald Trump said Iran is “seriously talking” with the United States and expressed hope that negotiations could lead to an outcome acceptable to Washington.
Ukraine is creating a white list for Starlink terminals to ensure only verified devices stay active, after officials warned that Russian forces were attempting to use the network during the Ukraine conflict.
A drone incident at a military base in Przasnysz has triggered a police inquiry in Poland as security agencies across Europe confront a growing number of unauthorised devices entering restricted airspace.
Nigeria has filed 57 terrorism-related charges against nine men accused of planning and executing a June 2025 attack in Benue state that killed about 150 people.
France has approved its 2026 budget after Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes in the National Assembly on Monday, ending months of political tension that had unsettled investors.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday announced a new trade agreement with India that will see Washington reduce tariffs on Indian imports, after New Delhi pledged to stop buying Russian oil and increase purchases from the U.S. and potentially Venezuela.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment