Important reforms tightening gun laws, cracking down on hateful symbols, restricting public assemblies following a terrorist attack and giving police more tools to protect the community have passed NSW Parliament.
The Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 passed Parliament today following the horrific antisemitic terror attack at Bondi which killed 15 innocent people earlier this month.
Toughest gun law reforms in a generation
The bill ensures that NSW has the toughest gun laws in the country, imposing a cap meaning that an individual can have no more than 4 firearms, with exemptions for primary producers who can have up to 10.
It limits straight-pull/pump action and button/lever release firearms to primary producers, reduces magazine capacity for category A and B firearms and prohibits firearms using belt-fed magazines.
Gun club membership will be mandatory for all firearms licence holders and people will no longer be able to seek to overturn a licence decision through the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Other significant gun reforms include requiring all gun clubs to use the GunSafe online platform, and a mandate of safe storage inspections before the issue of a permit.
This legislation will be accompanied by a comprehensive audit of existing firearms licences, as well as a gun buyback scheme, in partnership with the Federal Government.
Prohibiting hateful symbols
There is no excuse for hateful symbols which divide and inflame community tensions.
The legislation makes it an offence under NSW law to display publicly and without reasonable excuse a prohibited terrorist organisation's symbol such as an ISIS, Hamas or Hezbollah flag.
This will carry a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment or a $22,000 fine or $110,000 for organisations.
A reasonable excuse includes for an academic purpose or another purpose in the public interest.
Restricting the authorisation of public assemblies
The bill also allows the Police Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner with the Minister for Police to restrict authorised assemblies in specific areas for 14 days following a terrorism declaration.
This is designed to deter divisive, inflammatory public assemblies which put community safety and cohesion at risk in the immediate aftermath of an attack.
Once a declaration is made, no public assemblies can be authorised in designated areas including by a court and police will be able to move people on if their behaviour or presence obstructs traffic or causes fear, harassment or intimidation.
The declaration can be extended by 14-day periods for up to three months. It will not stop quiet reflection, prayer or peaceful gatherings, which are not likely to cause fear or safety concerns.
The legislation also gives police greater powers to require someone suspected of committing an offence during a public assembly to remove their face covering.
Anyone at a public assembly who is suspected of committing an offence can be required to remove their face covering. Previously, this requirement only applied to someone suspected of committing an indictable offence.
Further measures to combat hate speech
Horrific recent events also show chants and slogans can shatter community cohesion and encourage violence.
Serious concerns have been raised over chants like "globalise the intifada" and hateful statements used to vilify and intimidate our community must be banned.
The Attorney General has asked the Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety to conduct an inquiry into hateful statements.
It will recommend what laws should be introduced to tackle this abhorrent conduct with a view to introducing them when parliament returns in the new year.
These measures build on previous legislation to combat hate including new offences for inciting racial hatred and displaying Nazi symbols at Jewish places and additional protections for people seeking to attend their place of worship.
Premier Chris Minns said:
"None of these measures alone will end antisemitism and violence but together these reforms are the single best thing we can do to keep the people of New South Wales safe and prevent further harm.
"I acknowledge that these are very significant changes that not everyone will agree with, but our state has changed following the horrific antisemitic attack on Bondi Beach and our laws must change too.
"These laws get the balance right by providing police with the tools they need to calm a combustible situation in our state and keep people safe, while restricting access to dangerous weapons on our streets to reduce the risk of this happening again."
Minister for Police Yasmin Catley said:
"The antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach has changed us forever and the Government is responding to try to prevent future harm.
"These reforms strengthen oversight, improve enforcement and reduce the risk when it comes to firearm ownership.
"We're giving police the powers they need to best ensure the community is safe."
Attorney General Michael Daley said:
"These measures form a strong regime to protect the community from those who would seek to do us harm and tear us apart.
"There is no place for conduct which espouses hate, threatens or intimidates others and we are giving police the tools they need to hold perpetrators to account.
"We are ensuring those who publicly display terrorist symbols are met with the full force of the law.
"I know there is more work to do and have asked the Committee on Law and Safety to provide recommendations about further reforms to curb hate speech.
"The Government will take whatever measures needed to keep the community safe."
