Overview
- The omnibus package would criminalise publicly promoting racial hatred with penalties up to five years, create a hate‑group listing regime, expand visa and policing powers, and introduce a national gun buyback and tougher firearm checks.
- Parliament has been recalled for a two‑day debate next week, with a snap inquiry’s report due Friday.
- Opposition Leader Sussan Ley called the bill "unsalvageable" as Coalition figures cited free‑speech and religious‑freedom concerns, and Nationals flagged opposition to the gun measures; Liberal MP Andrew Hastie said he will vote no.
- The Greens said they will not back the bill in its current form and are negotiating amendments to extend protections beyond race and curb new listing and visa powers.
- Major Jewish groups urged passing hate‑speech reforms with fixes, the Australia Israel and Jewish Affairs Council proposed a short delay and splitting gun measures, faith leaders sought more scrutiny, and experts warned the drafting could face a High Court challenge.