CANBERRA — In a historic double-legislative sweep, the Australian Parliament has passed the most significant reforms to national security and firearms regulation since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. The Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism package, finalized on January 20, 2026, marks a decisive federal response to the December 2025 Bondi Beach terror attack, which claimed 15 lives.
The legislation, split into two distinct bills to ensure passage, targets both the “method and the motivation” of domestic extremism through a massive gun buyback scheme and unprecedented criminal penalties for hate-motivated conduct.
Part I: The National Firearms Overhaul
With over 4.1 million registered firearms in Australia—a record high—the new laws aim to drastically reduce the volume of weapons in the community. Key pillars of the firearms reform include:
- National Gun Buyback: A federally coordinated, state-partnered scheme designed to remove newly prohibited high-capacity and rapid-fire weapons.
- The “Four-Gun” Cap: New limits restrict recreational shooters to a maximum of four firearms, with a ceiling of ten for commercial and agricultural use.
- Citizenship Mandate: Non-Australian citizens are now largely prohibited from possessing or importing firearms, a direct response to the status of the alleged Bondi attackers.
- AusCheck Integration: For the first time, firearms licensing will include mandatory intelligence assessments from ASIO and the ACIC, shifting checks from a five-year to a two-year cycle.
Part II: Cracking Down on Hate and Extremism
The second half of the legislative package creates a new “Aggravated Hate Crime” framework in the Commonwealth Criminal Code. It introduces rigorous oversight for those in positions of authority and expands the government’s power to dismantle extremist networks.
| Provision | Detail | Max Penalty |
| Aggravated Offence (Leaders) | Targeting religious or secular leaders who advocate violence. | 12 Years Imprisonment |
| Prohibited Hate Groups | A new framework to outlaw groups promoting racial or ethnic hatred. | 10 Years (Membership) |
| Visa Cancellation | Home Affairs power to revoke visas for hate-motivated conduct. | Mandatory Removal |
| Prohibited Symbols | Expanded ban on terrorist and Nazi symbols to include online display. | 5 Years Imprisonment |
A Polarized Parliament
While the Labor government secured the support of the Greens to pass the laws, the Coalition and the Nationals opposed the package. Critics, led by Nationals leader David Littleproud, argued the laws punish law-abiding farmers and “recreational enthusiasts” for the acts of terrorists. Legal advocacy groups also raised concerns over the “lower threshold” for racial vilification, warning of potential “category creep” that could chill legitimate political debate.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke dismissed these concerns during the final sitting, insisting the measures were “common sense” protections. “We are finishing the work of the Howard Government,” Burke stated, “ensuring that those with bigotry in their hearts do not have weapons in their hands.”
[Minister Tony Burke outlines the link between the Bondi attack and the new National Firearms Register]
The federal government now moves to the implementation phase, with a March deadline for states and territories to finalize their participation in the buyback funding.
Old & New Parliament House, Canberra, Wikimedia Picture by Brenden Ashton
