Australia’s lower house approved stricter gun laws and tougher hate crime measures after December’s Bondi Beach shooting. The bills now move to the Senate for final debate. The reforms respond to the attack that killed 15 people and shocked the nation.
The gun laws include the largest national buyback program since 1996 and stronger background checks for firearm licenses. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the attack was carried out by people with “hate in their hearts and guns in their hands.” The government emphasized reducing both motivation and access to weapons.
Read more: Australia vows action against extremism after Bondi Beach attack
Anti-hate legislation increases penalties, including up to 12 years in jail when religious officials are targeted. The law also allows banning groups spreading hate and cancelling visas for offenders. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the bills counter extremism and prevent seeds of terrorism from taking root.
The vote in the lower house saw 96 in favor of gun reforms versus 45 against, and 116 in favor of hate crime measures versus 7 against. The Liberal-National coalition opposed the gun bill but supported the hate crime bill. Parliament was recalled early from summer recess for the emergency session.
Read more: Australia PM vows tougher gun laws after Bondi beach attack
State authorities in New South Wales already limit gun ownership to four firearms per person and maintain temporary protest curbs in response to the shooting. Critics argue these measures may infringe on democratic freedoms, while the government says they enhance public safety.