URGENT UPDATE: Politicians are returning to Canberra early to honor the victims of the Bondi terror attack and push through critical legislation aimed at preventing future tragedies. A condolence motion will be held on Monday for the 15 individuals killed during the December 14 massacre, where gunmen targeted a Jewish celebration.
Parliament is set to reconvene as the first major polls reveal a dip in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese‘s approval ratings since the incident. The latest Newspoll shows Mr. Albanese’s personal approval has dropped by five points to 42 percent, while Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has seen a rise of two points to 28 percent.
This shift in public opinion comes as Labor’s primary vote has decreased to 32 percent, while One Nation has surged to 22 percent, overtaking the coalition at 21 percent. The Resolve Political Monitor poll indicates Mr. Albanese’s approval rating is now at 35 percent, revealing a troubling trend for the government in the wake of the Bondi attack.
The government is urgently seeking to introduce an omnibus bill to criminalize hate speech and strengthen gun laws, following widespread criticism that forced a split of the legislation into two separate bills. The new firearms legislation includes a gun buyback program as part of a national agreement to improve gun control after the attack. Shockingly, it has been revealed that one of the gunmen, Sajid Akram, held licenses for six firearms, despite his son being flagged by ASIO for potential links to extremism.
Recent data from the Department of Home Affairs highlights an alarming rise in firearm ownership in Australia, with a record 4.1 million firearms now in circulation, surpassing numbers seen during the infamous Port Arthur massacre three decades ago.
Both bills are slated for introduction in the House of Representatives on Tuesday morning, with quick movement expected to the Senate, bolstered by Labor’s majority in the lower house. A parliamentary inquiry is also conducting a snap review of the proposed legislation, with findings due by Monday morning.
The government anticipates the gun control measures will pass, thanks to support from the Greens. However, the fate of the hate speech legislation remains uncertain. Labor hopes to negotiate a deal with the opposition to facilitate passage through the Senate by Tuesday evening. Yet, senators are bracing for a potential marathon session that could extend into Wednesday morning.
Concerns remain about the hate speech measures, with the Greens voicing fears they could infringe on political freedoms, including the right to protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza. The coalition has indicated a willingness to consider the government’s proposals, but its members are apprehensive about the implications for freedom of speech, even after contentious elements regarding racial vilification were removed.
As the nation reflects on this tragedy, the urgency for effective legislation is palpable, with the call for change resonating throughout the halls of power.
For those affected by the events, support is available through services such as Lifeline at 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636.
