The New South Wales parliament has convened for extra sessions close to Christmas to debate what will become the country's strictest gun laws to date. The proposed legislation has drawn criticism for including a crackdown on protests.

Council of the City of Sydney

The New South Wales parliament held additional sittings to address new legislation in response to recent violent events in Sydney. The proposed laws aim to crack down on terrorist symbols, regulate protest activity after attacks, expand police powers, and introduce stricter firearm possession limits.

The legislation has received bipartisan support with some amendments, but the firearms provisions have caused divisions. Community members, including business owners and farmers, have expressed concerns about the impact on their livelihoods, while others, including victims' families, support the changes. The debate also covers new powers to pause protests after terrorist attacks, with critics warning of potential threats to democracy and civil liberties.

NSW parliament reconvenes to debate new gun, protest laws

Three days out from Christmas, two extra days of sitting, with one order of business. It's been a terrible week for Sydney and for all Australians. It's important that we're back today to try and make sure it doesn't happen again. By cracking down on displaying terrorist symbols, protest activity after a terrorism attack, including giving police powers to remove face coverings, and firearm possession in an all-encompassing piece of legislation. Businesses will go backwards if these laws pass today. We want to see the real issues addressed here, which is hate. Leadership needs to happen here, things need to change, and they will. But first, a moment for the lives lost. On Sunday the 14th of December, victims of violent Jewish hate, but in the course of their lives, wonderful, generous, big-hearted members of our community. The stories of people coming to our shores for a better life, of helping others before yourself, of loving your family, of working hard. Each of them made our state better. The opposition has offered bipartisan support, bar some so-called sensible amendments. But it was the issue of firearms that caused the coalition to split. This bill is rushed, and rushed legislation always leads to unintended outcomes. If we don't act now, when will we act? The next one? It wasn't just politicians making their way to Macquarie Street. I'm from Cunderbunk, so I left home at two o'clock this morning. He says the proposed laws threaten his firearms business. None of my guns have ever shot anyone, so it's not our fault. The changes would see individuals capped at four firearms, ten for sports shooters and primary producers. Farmers say it's unworkable. Does Premier Minns want wild pigs running down the streets, attacking people? On the flip side, this statement, read out on behalf of Walter Mickack, who lost his wife and two daughters in the Port Arthur massacre. I know the lifelong cost of violence and loss. I welcome the men's government actions today. Protest changes also sparking protest. Now is the time for unity. The Premier told us we were coming to Parliament to pass gun law reforms, which we need. But this is not the time to dilute our democracy and to feed division. It would enact the power to pause planned protests in the weeks and up to three months after a terrorist attack. These laws are born of political pressure, not a genuine consideration for the safety of our communities. Ratcheting up the rhetoric and the language can unleash forces that you can't control, and it's not necessarily their job to control it, but it is mine. The Palestine Action Group has no rallies planned for now, but will eventually. You should be proud of the stance that you have taken to oppose the genocide in Gaza, and of course, and it's crazy that we even have to say this, of course you are not to blame for the horrific anti-Semitic attack. The debate continues.

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