Australian lawmakers back stricter gun, hate crime lawsListen to this articleAustralia is debating stiffer laws on gun control and hate crime after the Bondi Beach shooting. (Photo: AFP)SYDNEY — Australian politicians voted in favour of tougher hate crime and gun laws Tuesday, weeks after gunmen targeting Jewish people on Bondi Beach killed 15 people. The hate crime and gun control legislation must still be approved by the upper house Senate, which was expected to vote later in the day. The hate speech legislation would toughen laws and penalties for people seeking to spread hate and radicalisation, or to promote violence. On firearms, Australia would set up a national gun buyback scheme, tighten rules on imports of firearms and expand background checking for gun permits to allow input from intelligence services.

Source: Bangkok Post January 20, 2026 08:20 UTC