The Parliament of New South Wales, the most populous state in Australia, approved this Wednesday a law on terrorism and other crimes that toughens the requirements for possessing firearms and strengthens the powers of the police. It is his story on Bondi beach on December 14 in which two men, father and son, murdered 15 people. The new law prohibits the public display of these weapons, limits the number of licenses for individuals and strengthens the powers of the police to stop citizen protests.
“Sydney and New South Wales have changed forever as a result of that terrorist attack,” the Premier of the State, Chris Minns, explained to journalists, before acknowledging that not all residents of New South Wales will support this reform. He added that his Government is doing everything possible to guarantee the safety of the population, after the shooting on the religious holiday of Hanukkah.
The bill was approved this Tuesday in the lower house with the support of the Liberal Party, in the opposition. The rural-focused National Party, a minority partner in the liberal coalition, opposed the reform, arguing that limitations on the number of guns that individuals can own would unfairly disadvantage farmers.
The upper house of Parliament approved the project this Wednesday during an emergency session.
The new legislation, which Minns has described as the strictest in Australia, limits the weapons that each individual can own to a maximum of four, while farmers will be able to have up to 10 individual licenses. Membership in a shooting club will also be mandatory for all holders of these licenses.
The new legislation is a direct consequence of the Bondi Beach shooting, Australia’s deadliest since 1996. The attack immediately sparked calls for tougher gun control legislation and tougher measures against anti-Semitism.
The legislative amendment approved this Wednesday also gives more powers to the police to impose restrictions on citizen protests for up to three months after a terrorist attack occurs. The new law also prohibits the public display of flags and symbols of organizations considered terrorist by Australia, such as the Islamic State, Hamas or Hezbollah. Violators may be sentenced to up to two years in prison or fines of up to 22,000 Australian dollars (about 12,500 euros).
In his press conference, the Prime Minister of New South Wales recalled “the concern” raised by slogans such as “Globalizing the Intifada”, which are often heard at demonstrations in favor of Palestine and against the Israeli offensive in Gaza. He added that hate speech “used to vilify and intimidate people” should be banned.
Hours after the approval of this new rule was announced, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the arrest of a man in the city of Perth, capital of Western Australia, after he expressed support for the perpetrators of the anti-Semitic massacre in Sydney. The police found six registered rifles and around 4,000 ammunition in his house, according to public broadcaster ABC, as well as documents with information to make bombs and Hamas and Hezbollah flags.
Israel pressure
The Australian Government, especially its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who on December 15, the day after the Bondi shooting, accused his Australian counterpart, the Labor Party Albanese, of having contributed to creating the circumstances for that attack. He also criticized the permission of demonstrations against the massacre in Gaza where slogans such as “Let’s globalize the Intifada”, “From the river to the sea” Palestine will be free” or “Death to the Israeli army” were chanted.
The Australian prime minister pledged almost immediately after the massacre to crack down on hate speech. Its center-left federal government also plans to push for legislation that makes it easier to prosecute those who promote hate and violence and cancel or deny visas to people involved in hate speech. Albanese has also proposed a weapons buyback plan.
Meanwhile, several activist groups have criticized the new rule approved by Parliament and announced their plans to present an appeal for unconstitutionality. In a statement, the Palestine Action Group, Jews against the Occupation and the Blak Caucus, led by the First Nations (Australian aboriginal peoples) have justified the presentation of this appeal with the argument that this new legislation against protests is “draconian” and limits the right to demonstrate.
“It is clear that the (state) Government is taking advantage to promote a political agenda that represses political dissent and criticism of Israel, and restricts democratic freedoms,” the groups say.
Australian police believe the two alleged gunmen were inspired by the . Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by the police, while his son Naveed, 24, who survived, including murder and terrorism.
