Overview
- The government dropped proposed offences criminalising the promotion of hatred and split its original omnibus bill, with the prime minister warning the hate speech package could be shelved if it lacks support.
- The gun bill outlines a national buyback, tighter AusCheck-based vetting, import restrictions and limits on the number of firearms an individual can own, and is expected to pass with Greens support after its introduction on Tuesday.
- Queensland confirmed it will not co‑fund the buyback, joining resistance from the Northern Territory and Tasmania, while other states raised cost concerns over the proposed 50:50 split.
- Legal experts and the prime minister say removing anti‑vilification offences raises the threshold to ban groups such as Hizb ut‑Tahrir, though the bill would still allow hate‑group listings and stronger visa‑cancellation powers.
- Resolve polling shows Labor’s primary vote at 30% and Anthony Albanese’s net rating at -22, as Newspoll records One Nation at 22%—overtaking the Coalition at 21%—despite strong public backing for tougher action on extremism and antisemitism.