Foreign Minister Penny Wong has strongly defended the passage of Australia's new hate speech and gun control legislation, stating the alleged Bondi attackers "had hate in their minds and guns in their hands" and that these comprehensive reforms were essential to confront extremist violence.
Parliament Approves Sweeping Reforms After Extended Debate
The landmark laws passed through Parliament on Tuesday night following extended debate that was prompted by the terror attack at a Jewish celebration on Bondi Beach in December 2025. The legislation ultimately cleared the Senate late Tuesday night, with crossbench support securing its approval after hours of voting.
Expanded Powers to Combat Extremist Groups
Under the new legislative framework, authorities will receive expanded powers to designate extremist organisations as official hate groups. The package introduces new offences targeting individuals who promote or finance these groups, while ministers gain enhanced authority to block or cancel visas for those spreading extremist or hateful views.
Comprehensive Gun Control Measures Included
The legislative package also incorporates significant gun reforms that impose tighter restrictions on firearm imports and establish a national gun buyback scheme. Government officials have described these measures as crucial to preventing further attacks and addressing the dual threats of extremist ideology and weapon accessibility.
Wong's Strong Defense on National Television
Speaking on Sunrise on Wednesday morning, Wong described the new laws as the strongest Australia has ever seen, specifically designed to address both hate crimes and gun violence in the aftermath of the Bondi tragedy.
"The (alleged) killers at Bondi had hate in their minds and guns in their hands. And the two things we really wanted to address with this package was both of those issues," she told the program's hosts.
"Stronger gun laws and a package of laws that crack down on hate and those organisations which seek to preach and advocate hate crimes."
Criticism of Opposition Stance
The foreign minister expressed disappointment with Liberal and National senators who voted against the legislation, calling their opposition "regrettable" at a time when Australians are seeking national unity.
"We saw Liberal and National senators voting on both sides of the chamber, but we are pleased that it has passed the parliament," she noted, acknowledging the complex voting patterns while celebrating the legislation's ultimate success.
Addressing Concerns About Underground Movements
Wong directly addressed concerns that the laws might simply push hate groups underground rather than solving the underlying issues, defending the government's comprehensive approach to tackling extremism.
"At a time where we have seen the worst terrorist attack on Australian soil in our history, where we have seen anti-semitism continue to rise to fuel violence, at a time where we've seen 15 Australians die, I think we have to lean in on cracking down on groups which seek to promote hate crimes," she argued.
The minister emphasized that the government's approach balances immediate security concerns with long-term strategies to combat extremist ideologies that threaten Australia's social cohesion and public safety.
