NSW Passes Bill on Gun Controls, Protest Bans After Bondi Attack

The New South Wales parliament passed sweeping legislation on Monday night to tighten gun laws and restrict public protests in response to a recent terror attack at Bondi Beach, clearing the lower house amid opposition and looming legal challenges.

The Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 advanced after a marathon session of the state assembly, which was recalled just days before Christmas. The measure, introduced by Premier Chris Minns, imposes Australia's strictest gun controls to date, including a limit of four firearms per individual, licence renewals every two years and reclassification of certain weapon types. It also grants police and the police minister authority to prohibit assemblies and protests following terror incidents, citing risks to social cohesion. Offenders convicted of knowingly displaying terror symbols could face up to two years in prison. The bill bundles these provisions with enhancements to hate speech laws.

The legislation cleared its third reading in the lower house by a vote of 59 to 15. While the Nationals and regional members largely backed the anti-protest elements, they sought more deliberate changes to the gun measures. The Greens...