Australia passes new law on gun control, hate crime

ISTANBUL

Australia on Tuesday passed new laws tightening gun control and expanding hate crime offenses, with both chambers of parliament approving legislation aimed at combating antisemitism, extremism and firearm-related violence.

Australia’s lower house and upper house voted in favor of the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026 and the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026.

The hate crime bill was passed with amendments that include references to “the promotion of violence” in the definition of a hate group, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The legislation aims to further criminalize what it describes as “hateful conduct” and expand powers to allow the cancellation or refusal of visas.

It also introduces a new offense making it illegal to incite or promote hatred on the grounds of race, color, or national or ethnic origin, unless such speech or writings are direct quotations from texts central to religions.

Under the new firearms legislation, enhanced background checks will be introduced for gun licence holders, while security agencies will expand information-sharing, according to the Melbourne-based daily The Age.

Stricter “fit and proper” tests will also apply to firearm license applicants, while only Australian citizens will be permitted to import guns, with tighter restrictions on the types of firearms allowed.

A national gun buyback scheme will also be established under the new laws.

Australian faith leaders had earlier urged the government to amend the legislation, citing concerns over religious freedom and freedom of expression.

The bills follow the Dec. 14 Bondi Beach attack, in which a man and his son opened fire during a Hanukkah festival, killing 15 people and wounding 42 others. Police described the incident as a “terrorist attack.”

One of the two shooters was killed, while the other was critically injured.