Civil rights groups and pro-gun advocates in Australia have raised concerns that new fast-tracked laws will place undue restrictions on firearms and protests in the wake of the Bondi shootings.
On Monday, the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) recalled its parliament to debate a raft of new laws such as banning the phrase globalise the intifada, limiting the number of guns one person can own, and greater police powers for protests.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said some may feel the changes had gone too far but they were needed to keep the community safe.
A pro-gun politician said the laws unfairly target law-abiding gun owners while civil libertarians said restrictions on protests were an affront to democracy.
On banning the intifada phrase, Minns said its use at protests in Australia and around the world are a call to a global intifada. That is what it means. Not in the Middle East, not in Israel or Gaza but here in Sydney.
He expressed concerns that the term leads to a culture of division and violence.
The new protest laws will also allow police to restrict demonstrations at places of worship, increasing penalties for violations.
Timothy Roberts, president of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, criticized the measures, stating they undermine the constitutional freedom of political expression in Australia.
Under the new gun laws, license holders in NSW will be restricted to a maximum of four firearms, while farmers and sport shooters will be allowed up to ten. Other changes include more frequent renewals for gun licenses and a review of available firearms.
Supporters of the reforms argue they are necessary for community safety, while critics see them as punitive measures that overlook underlying societal issues.
As the state grapples with these changes, community voices continue to clash over the balance between security and freedom.
