Sweeping reforms to gun laws and public protest regulations have been approved by the New South Wales Parliament following a lengthy debate that concluded in the early hours of Christmas Eve, prompted by the recent terror attack at Bondi Beach.
New Legislation Passes Upper House
The bill passed the Upper House with a vote of 18 to eight. The Liberals aligned with the government in support, while the Nationals, the Shooters Party, and other crossbench MPs opposed the legislation. The Greens abstained from the vote.
Despite their abstention, The Greens did propose the amendment regarding suspected terrorist links, which was ultimately adopted. The legislation now returns to the Lower House for a final vote, expected later today.
Changes to Gun Ownership
The new laws will restrict individual gun owners to a maximum of four firearms. Exceptions will be made for primary producers, such as farmers, who may possess up to ten firearms, and for sports shooters, also limited to ten.
Magazine capacity for Class A and B weapons will be reduced to between five and ten rounds, a change from the current unlimited capacity. Gun licenses will also require renewal every two years, rather than the previous five-year period.
Increased Police Powers Regarding Protests
The legislation also grants police expanded powers concerning public assemblies. Currently, officers can only remove face coverings if they believe an indictable offence is being committed. The new laws will broaden this authority to allow removal of face coverings at protests more generally.
The passage of this bill marks a decisive moment in New South Wales’ response to the Bondi Beach attack, and its implementation will likely be closely watched.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the vote count in the Upper House?
The bill passed the Upper House with 18 votes in favor and eight votes against.
What is the new limit on magazine capacity for certain weapons?
Magazine capacity for Class A and B weapons will be reduced to between five and ten rounds, down from an unlimited capacity.
Under the new laws, how often will gun licenses need to be renewed?
Gun licenses will need to be renewed every two years, instead of every five years.
How might these changes to protest regulations impact freedom of assembly in New South Wales?
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