(Reuters) – Australia’s most populous state is expected to pass tougher gun laws, ban the display of terrorist symbols and restrict protests in an extraordinary session following the Bondi massacre, as authorities step up their response to the anti-Semitic attack.
Fifteen people were killed and dozens injured in the mass shooting during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration in Bondi on December 14, a shocking attack that sparked calls for stricter gun control laws and stronger action against anti-Semitism.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday that his government will address hate speech and gun control by working with states on new laws.
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The Anti-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill and other proposals are expected to be approved by the New South Wales upper house of parliament on Tuesday.
The state’s centre-left Labor government has proposed limiting most individual firearms licenses to four weapons, allowing farmers to own up to ten.
Police said one of the alleged Bondi shooters, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who was shot dead by police officers at the scene, had six firearms. His son, Naveed, 24, who was transferred from hospital to prison on Monday, faces 59 charges, including murder and terrorism.
Combating hate speech
A Muslim prayer room previously linked by a court to a cleric who made intimidating statements against Australian Jews was closed on Monday by local authorities, a move described by New South Wales Premier Chris Minns as an ‘important step’ for the community.
Minns stated that authorities ‘need to take decisive action, whether through urban planning laws or hate speech, to send a message to those who intend to incite hatred in people’s hearts or spread racism in our community, that they will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.’
Canterbury Bankstown Council said on Tuesday it had issued a ‘cease use’ order to close an ‘illegal prayer room’ run by cleric Wissam Haddad, after surveillance by the Al Madina Dawah Center showed the venue was being used in breach of town planning laws.
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An employee at the center told Reuters by phone that Haddad was no longer involved in the center’s management.
The Al Madina Dawah center said in a social media statement on December 15 that Haddad’s involvement was limited to occasional invitations, including holding lectures and sometimes Friday sermons.
A source close to Haddad, who declined to be named, also told Reuters that the preacher was no longer involved in running the center.
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Haddad denies any involvement or knowledge of what happened in Bondi, the source added.
