Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Albanese Splits Bondi Response Bill After Greens Reject Hate-Speech Plan

Gun reforms will proceed in a standalone bill after contentious anti‑vilification provisions were removed.

Overview

  • The Greens said they will oppose the hate‑speech, vilification, migration and group‑listing elements but will support the separate firearms package.
  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the legislative program has been split and that racial vilification offences have been taken out of the surviving hate‑crimes bill.
  • Without Greens backing, the speech measures cannot pass the Senate, and the Coalition has labeled the original package "unsalvageable."
  • Legal experts, faith leaders and civil‑liberties groups criticized the rushed process and breadth of the draft, warning of risks to free expression and religious practice.
  • Parliament meets in an emergency sitting next week with a condolence motion Monday and debates on Tuesday, as the government presses the Coalition to state its position on the pared‑back agenda and advances a national gun buyback.