Australia’s federal parliament has passed sweeping gun control and anti-hate laws in the immediate aftermath of the Bondi Beach terror attack that killed fifteen people in Sydney last December.

The reforms, advanced in an emergency return of lawmakers to Canberra, aim to tighten firearm ownership rules, institute a national buyback program and expand legal tools to combat antisemitism, hate and extremist conduct, reflecting bipartisan intent to bolster public safety and social cohesion following the tragedy.

The legislative package was introduced as two linked but distinct bills: the Firearms and Customs Laws Bill and the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill two thousand twenty six.

Both bills passed through the House of Representatives and were approved by the Senate, with the firearm reforms securing a thirty eight to twenty six vote and the anti-hate measures passing thirty eight to twenty two.

Support from multiple parties, including the centre-left government and elements of the opposition, was essential to their enactment.

The firearm legislation enacts what many observers describe as Australia’s most significant gun law changes since the nineteen ninety six Port Arthur reforms.

New measures include more rigorous background checks, restrictions on imports of certain weapons and accessories, and tighter licensing controls.

A federally coordinated national gun buyback scheme is now law, designed to reduce the number of firearms in circulation and enhance community safety.

Authorities have also moved to outlaw the use of digital tools to access material on manufacturing or modifying firearms and explosives.

The anti-hate law expands the government’s ability to proscribe extremist organisations not previously defined as terrorist entities, and introduces harsher penalties for leaders or preachers promoting violence or hatred.

The legislation also strengthens deportation powers and contains enhanced criminal and migration provisions aimed at preventing racially or religiously motivated violence.

Passage of the reforms followed intense parliamentary debate and negotiations, including adjustments to secure broader support.

Some elements of the original hate speech proposals, such as certain racial vilification offences, were modified or removed in the compromise process.

Despite division among smaller parties and concerns raised about individual liberties by some opponents, the combined legislative measures received sufficient backing to become law.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Attorney-General Michelle Rowland framed the legislation as essential for national safety and unity in the wake of the Bondi attack.

Officials say the new legal architecture will improve coordination among security agencies, strengthen prevention against extremism and ensure that those who propagate hatred face meaningful consequences under Australian law.