Australian Parliament Approves Tougher Gun and Hate Crime Laws After Bondi Attack
SYDNEY — Australian lawmakers have passed stricter laws targeting gun violence and hate crimes following last month’s deadly shooting at a Jewish festival on Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
House of Representatives Approves Reforms
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted in favor of a national gun buyback program, enhanced gun licence checks, and stronger penalties for hate crimes. The bills still require approval from the Senate, where opposition is expected from the conservative Liberal-National Coalition.
Deadly Attack Sparks Legislative Action
Fifteen people, most of them Jewish, were killed on December 14 when two gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach. Authorities said the attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed, were inspired by the extremist group ISIL (ISIS). The attackers were later subdued by Ahmed al-Ahmed, a Muslim bystander hailed as a hero.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke described the attackers as individuals with “hate in their hearts and guns in their hands” and stressed that the government must respond comprehensively. “As a government, we must do everything we can to counter both the motivation and the method,” Burke said.
Senate Vote Pending
The proposed reforms on guns and hate speech were voted on separately in the House and now await a Senate vote, expected later in the day.
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