ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury has labelled New South Wales' swift move to curb mass protests following the Bondi terrorist attack a "knee-jerk reaction," warning it could have counter-intuitive outcomes by stifling legitimate public expression.
Balancing Security and Free Expression
While strongly backing the need for tighter restrictions on firearm ownership in the Australian Capital Territory, Rattenbury expressed significant concern over the NSW government's decision to pass anti-protest laws in a marathon parliamentary session that concluded in the early hours of Christmas Eve. The NSW parliament was recalled after the deadly attack at Bondi Junction.
"I am concerned that in muzzling people's ability to express their view, you get a counter-intuitive outcome that pressure builds up because people can't voice their concerns. And that has its own set of risks," Rattenbury stated.
He acknowledged that protests could be "distasteful" during periods of national mourning but argued that broad-scale crackdowns on public demonstrations were problematic. The Greens leader also contested NSW Premier Chris Minns' implied link between protests concerning Gaza and the Bondi incident, stating it was "a link that is not there to be drawn."
Greens Signal Support for ACT Gun Law Tightening
In contrast to his stance on protest laws, Rattenbury confirmed his party's readiness to support stricter gun controls in the ACT. He emphasised the need to act "quickly but thoughtfully" and suggested the tragic events provided an opportunity to address wider community safety issues.
"While this has been for a particular terrorist incident, it's an opportunity for us to also consider community safety from a family and domestic violence point of view," he said, pointing to reforms already implemented in Western Australia that restrict firearm access for domestic violence offenders.
Rattenbury indicated the ACT Legislative Assembly may not need to return early from its break, but affirmed that politicians could not ignore the community's desire for change or the reality of extremism.
Anti-Vilification Laws Under Scrutiny
The debate has also turned attention to the territory's laws against hate speech. Rattenbury signalled the Greens' willingness to consider improvements, though he noted the ACT already had relatively progressive legislation, including laws he introduced as attorney-general in 2023 banning the public display of Nazi symbols.
"We've tended to have quite strong anti-vilification legislation, but there's no harm in looking at. Have there proven to be holes in it?" he questioned.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has separately stated the government would examine whether protections in the territory's anti-discrimination laws remained fit for purpose, with a focus on anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and protections for the LGBTI community.
Rattenbury concluded by reiterating his condemnation of the "appalling acts of anti-Semitism and hate at Bondi," while maintaining the importance of preserving the right to peaceful protest and respectful disagreement in a democratic society.
