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Albanese Splits Bondi Bill, Shelves Racial Vilification to Advance Gun Buyback

The split salvages a gun buyback with Greens support, leaving a trimmed hate‑crimes package to rise or fall on Coalition votes.

Overview

  • The Greens will oppose the hate‑speech and vilification measures but say they will pass the standalone firearms reforms next week.
  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese separated the omnibus after conceding the Senate lacks numbers for racial‑vilification offences, with remaining proposals covering hate‑group listings, tougher action on hate preachers and broader visa cancellation powers.
  • Parliament has been recalled for an extraordinary sitting, with a condolence motion on Monday and debates on the split bills set for Tuesday.
  • Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has labelled the original package “unsalvageable,” and the government is pressing the Coalition to declare its stance on the revised hate‑crimes bill.
  • Legal experts, civil‑rights groups and faith leaders say the initial draft was too rushed and broad, while the Greens seek broader protections beyond race and safeguards for legitimate protest.