Labor’s hate speech laws pass Senate in late-night vote as Nationals split from Liberals to oppose bill

Laws to ban hate groups and establish a national gun buyback scheme have passed the Senate following a late-night vote. This legislative action was taken by the Albanese government in response to the Bondi beach massacre that occurred on December 14. The bills were expedited through a special two-day sitting of Parliament, aimed at addressing the political fallout from the shooting incident. The government successfully negotiated separate agreements with both the Liberal party and the Greens to facilitate the passage of these measures. The legislation, designed to combat antisemitism and enhance public safety, received support from Liberal MPs after discussions between Sussan Ley, a member of the Liberal party, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. This agreement was reached just ahead of a Coalition partyroom meeting that was intended to finalize their stance on the proposed bills. The passage of these laws reflects ongoing concerns regarding hate speech and public safety in Australia. Despite the support from some Liberal members, the Coalition remains divided on the issue. Bridget McKenzie, a member of the Coalition, criticized the government for what she termed "trashing normal process of parliamentary scrutiny." This division highlights the differing perspectives within the Coalition regarding the legislative response to the Bondi beach terror attack. The successful passage of the laws marks a significant step in the government's efforts to address hate speech and related issues in the wake of the tragedy.