Australian authorities are moving to tighten laws on hate speech, public protest, and firearms in the aftermath of the Bondi shooting, an attack that has prompted renewed debate about extremism, civil liberties, and community safety.
The assault, which left 15 people dead at a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach, has been described by investigators as the country’s deadliest mass shooting in almost three decades. In response, the New South Wales government plans to recall the NSW parliament to pass a package of measures aimed at curbing extremist activity and strengthening police powers.
Premier Chris Minns has confirmed that his government intends to classify the chant “globalize the intifada” as hate speech, placing it alongside the other banned slogans and symbols. The proposal comes amid broader changes that would outlaw the public display of terrorist insignia, expand police authority to require the removal of face coverings during public assemblies, and introduce tougher penalties for breaches of protest laws. Minns said the phrase would be prohibited because it encourages violence in the community.
The legal changes are being paired with a call for a Royal Commission into the Bondi attack. Minns has argued that while criminal investigations are progressing, a wider inquiry is needed to examine how the attack occurred and whether gaps exist in intelligence, policing, or social policy.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has signaled support for the state’s actions and announced a national gun buyback scheme targeting surplus, newly banned, and illegal firearms. The program is expected to lead to the collection and destruction of hundreds of thousands of weapons, supporting Australia’s age-old approach to gun control following the Port Arthur Massacre in 1996.
Community responses have focused on mourning and reflection. Lifeguards, surfers, and residents have held tributes at Bondi Beach, while a national day of reflection marked one week since the attack. Albanese described the planned minute’s silence as “a moment of pause to reflect and affirm that hatred and violence will never define us as Australians.”
The proposed ban on the chant has highlighted divisions over language and intent. Jewish organizations have welcomed the move, saying it addresses rising antisemitism and incitement. Pro-Palestinian groups, however, argue the term refers to political resistance rather than violence and warn against restrictions on speech. Speaking to SBS news, Palestine Action Group also claimed that they had not used the chant at rallies and that the mislabeling of the chant as hate speech was “ridiculous, ignorant, and offensive.”
As governments advance new hate speech laws and broader counter-extremism measures, the debate is likely to continue over how to balance security, free expression, and the right to protest.
