As federal parliament reconvenes for a crucial debate on hate speech laws in the wake of the Bondi attack, a leading commentator is urging Australians to pause and refocus on a suite of other pressing national and global issues that have been sidelined.
The Stories Lost in the Shadow of Bondi
John Hanscombe, a national reporter with Australian Community Media, argues that while the seriousness of the Bondi tragedy and the subsequent legislative response is undeniable, it risks consuming the entire national conversation. He suggests the upcoming parliamentary vote, scheduled for the week of January 19, 2026, may provide some clarity, allowing other critical matters to regain public and political attention.
Foremost among these is the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Displaced Palestinians are facing a severe winter in inadequate tents and shelters, unable to withstand fierce Mediterranean storms. Despite pleas for better materials, Israel has refused to allow caravans and building supplies into the strip, citing security concerns over potential use by Hamas.
Climate Change and Domestic Disasters
Despite mounting evidence, the climate change narrative has significantly cooled in public discourse. Last year was the third hottest on record globally, with data from the World Meteorological Organisation showing 2025 was 1.44 degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial times. This trend has led scientists to declare the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees effectively unachievable.
This global heating is manifesting locally with violent weather. Victoria has experienced a dangerous see-saw of extreme heat and fires followed by flash flooding, with torrential rains recently washing cars out to sea along the Great Ocean Road. Queensland has faced catastrophic inundation. Yet, as Hanscombe notes, there has been "next to no discussion about what might be causing the disasters."
Political and Social Issues Submerged
Several other major stories have also been eclipsed. The perennial Australia Day date debate has been unusually quiet this January. The scandal over parliamentary family travel allowances, which forced the Prime Minister to tighten rules in December, has largely evaporated from headlines. An analysis by The Australian found most of the controversial flights would still be permissible under the new guidelines.
Similarly, the rollout of the under-16s social media ban, which came into effect on December 10 and has since seen millions of teenage users removed from platforms, is no longer a front-page story. The conversation around its impact on youth mental health has faded as national attention shifted.
Perhaps most significantly, the monumental $600 billion AUKUS submarine pact with the United States and the United Kingdom has slipped from view. Hanscombe points out that this should be a central topic of national debate, especially given volatile geopolitical statements from allies, but it instead "runs silently beneath the waves of the Bondi story."
The recall of parliament is unlikely to be the end of the Bondi legislative saga, but it may provide the breathing room needed for these other vital issues to resurface. The challenge for media and the public will be to hold them in focus once the immediate political theatre concludes.
