SYDNEY, Dec 24 — Australia's most populous state has today passed sweeping new gun and anti-terror rules following the mass shooting on Bondi Beach, tightening firearm ownership, banning public display of terror symbols and strengthening police power to curb protests.
The New South Wales state parliament passed the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill early this morning after the upper house approved the bill by 18 votes to eight during an emergency sitting.
Premier Chris Minns said not all residents of New South Wales would support the tough reforms but his government was doing everything possible to keep people safe, in the wake of the December 14 shooting at a Jewish Hannukah celebration, where 15 people were killed and dozens wounded.
"Sydney and New South Wales has changed forever as a result of that terrorist activity," Minns told reporters.
The bill passed the lower house yesterday with support from the governing centre-left Labor and the opposition Liberal party. The rural-focused National Party, the Liberal's junior coalition partner, opposed the gun reforms arguing the ownership caps would unfairly disadvantage farmers.
The Bondi Beach gun attack, Australia's deadliest in almost three decades, prompted calls for stricter gun laws and tougher action against antisemitism.
Under the new gun laws, which Minns described as the toughest in Australia, individual licences will be capped at four, while farmers will be permitted to own up to 10 guns.
Gun club membership will be mandatory for all firearms licence holders.
Police will be granted more powers to impose restrictions on protests for up to three months after a declared terror attack.
Public display of flags and symbols of prohibited organisations such as Islamic State, Hamas or Hezbollah has been outlawed and offenders will be jailed for up to two years or fined A$22,000 (about RM60,000).
Minns said concerns had been raised over chants like "globalise the intifada", usually heard during pro-Palestine protests, adding that hateful statements used to vilify and intimidate people must be banned.
Police believe the two alleged gunmen were inspired by the militant group Islamic State. Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police, while his 24-year-old son Naveed has been charged with 59 offences, including murder and terrorism.
