Australia’s PM Albanese hails new firearms and hate speech laws, says Queensland needs to step up on buyback

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday, January 21 welcomed Parliament’s passage of anti-hate speech and firearms legislation, describing the measures as a crucial step in making the country “more safe” following the deadly Bondi Beach attack in December. The emergency legislation was prompted by the attack on December 14, in which two gunmen, reportedly inspired by ISIS, killed 16 people, including one of the attackers. The shooting targeted Jewish worshippers during Hanukkah celebrations in Bondi, Sydney.

“At Bondi, the terrorists had hate in their hearts, but they had guns in their hands,” Albanese said at Parliament House in Canberra, referring to the father and son accused in the attack. “We said we wanted to deal with that with urgency and with unity, and we acted to deliver both.”

The new gun laws introduce stricter eligibility checks for firearms ownership and establish a government-funded buyback program to compensate people required to surrender their guns.


However, Queensland has refused to participate in the buyback scheme, drawing criticism from Albanese. He said that he doesn't think “it's in the interests of Queenslanders or the nation to not have national uniform laws,” adding that state and territory leaders “need to step up” to implement the reforms fully. He also stressed that the federal government would not increase funding to cover states’ costs, placing responsibility on state authorities.

Albanese acknowledged limitations in the hate speech legislation, saying he would have preferred stronger provisions, but the Senate would not compromise. “If you can’t get laws passed in the wake of a massacre, then it’s difficult to see people changing their minds,” he said.

The bills are now set to receive Royal Assent before formally becoming law, with negotiations on the gun buyback program continuing amid Queensland’s refusal to participate.