Following the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, the Australian state of New South Wales, of which Sydney is the capital, passed sweeping gun control and counterterrorism protest laws this week that tighten already tough firearm restrictions.
The reforms, passed by parliamentary lawmakers on Wednesday, came in response to the country’s second-deadliest mass shooting. In the terrorist attack on Bondi Beach, two gunmen, who were allegedly inspired by the Islamic State, a jihadist group, opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration, killing 16 victims in Sydney.
The legislation’s passage marks the first of a slew of actions that Australia’s leadership promised to take in the wake of the terrorist attack, including vows to crack down on antisemitism, particularly groups espousing extremist views.
In addition to limiting the number of guns one person can own, the new laws also grant the police broad powers to prohibit and shut down protests for up to 90 days after an incident has been declared an act of terrorism.
While the firearm ownership restrictions, which cap individual license holders at four guns, garnered general support from across the board, some critics saw the measures pertaining to policing protests as infringing on civil liberties.
Activists and religious leaders have raised concerns about the actions of the Bondi Beach attackers being associated with pro-Palestinian protesters.
The Australian National Imams Council, an Islamic body representing Australia-based imams, posted on social media on Sunday that it was “closely scrutinizing” protest-related bills proposed by the New South Wales government.
“ANIC is deeply concerned that elements of the proposed legislation risk overreach and undermine fundamental civil rights and freedoms,” the council posted. “Laws enacted in moments of heightened fear and trauma must be approached with great caution. Measures that infringe upon religious freedom, suppress lawful expression, or erode the right to peaceful protest risk doing lasting harm to Australia’s social cohesion and social fabric.”
At a press conference after the slate of laws was passed, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns acknowledged that these measures are considered controversial to some Australians but billed them as necessary for the sake of public safety.
“These are extraordinary measures,” Minns told reporters. “I acknowledge that. I know that not all Australians that live in New South Wales support these changes, but we decided it’s the best way of ensuring we do everything possible to keep the people of New South Wales safe.”
AUSTRALIA MOVES TO TIGHTEN GUN LAWS AFTER BONDI BEACH HANUKKAH SHOOTING
Public display of flags and symbols of militant organizations, such as Hamas or Hezbollah, has been outlawed as well under the amendments, and offenders are subject to two years in jail and fines of $22,000.
Minns cited chants such as “globalize the intifada,” typically shouted at pro-Palestinian protests, saying that such statements must be banned.
