Exploiting Tragedy: Labor's Cynical Rollout of the Antisemitism, Hate, and Extremism Bill After Bondi Terror, By Tom North

 Just over a month after the horrific terrorist shooting at Bondi Beach, and the Albanese government's already rammed through the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026like it's Black Friday at Bunnings. On the surface, it's sold as a response to rising hate and violence – fair enough, given the antisemitic carnage that unfolded. But dig a bit deeper, and it reeks of opportunism: Labor seizing on a terrorist atrocity to push through sweeping laws that target ordinary, law-abiding Aussies, not the radicals who pull triggers. What's missing from the debate? The glaring fact that this was terrorism, pure and simple – yet the bill's gun grabs and speech curbs hit everyday citizens who aren't terrorists. It feels like Labor had this in the drawer, waiting for the "right" tragedy, much like their mates in WA did with their own crackdowns.

The Bondi Horror: A Terrorist Attack, Not a Cue for Blanket Bans

First, let's recap what happened on December 14, 2025 – a date that'll haunt Sydney forever. During a joyful Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, attended by around 1,000 people, two gunmen – father Sajid Akram, 50, and son Naveed Akram, 24 – opened fire from a nearby bridge, unleashing a hail of bullets and even tossing explosives. Fifteen innocents lost their lives, including a 10-year-old girl with face paint still on, and over 40 were wounded in what authorities quickly labelled an Islamic State-inspired terrorist attack deliberately targeting the Jewish community. Sajid was killed by police at the scene, while Naveed survived in critical condition under guard. It was Australia's deadliest terrorist incident, a stark reminder of the evils of extremism.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it "an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism." And he's right – this wasn't random violence or a mental health snap; it was premeditated ideological hatred, with court docs later revealing the pair had planned it for months, even practicing shooting beforehand. Yet, in the bill's rush to "combat" this, where's the laser focus on terrorists? Instead, we get a shotgun approach: tougher hate speech penalties (up to 12 years for preachers inciting violence), visa cancellations for hate-mongers, hate group listings (like Hizb ut-Tahrir), and – crucially – gun reforms including a national buyback, import bans on "high-risk" firearms like handguns and straight-pull rifles, and invasive background checks pulling in ASIO intel and spent convictions. These measures might snag a radical here or there, but they disproportionately burden the 99% of gun owners who are farmers, hunters, and sport shooters – folks who've never hurt a fly.

The Opportunism Angle: Pre-Planned Power Grab, WA-Style

Here's the rub: This bill didn't spring from the ashes of Bondi; it feels premeditated, like Labor was itching for a catalyst. Parliament was recalled on a dime – draft dropped January 13, debated in a blur, passed by January 20 after late-night votes. Critics, including civil liberties groups like Liberty Victoria and the Law Council, slammed the "rushed legislative process" and "procedural shortcuts," arguing it lacked proper scrutiny and risked chilling free speech. The Socialist Alliance called it a tool to silence Palestine solidarity movements, equating criticism of Israel with antisemitism. Even Coalition figures like Andrew Hastie labelled it a "rushed Labor government power grab disguised as anti-hate measures." And MP Sam Birrell echoed the opportunism vibe in his direct-to-camera takedown.

Look to Western Australia for the blueprint. Under Labor Premier Roger Cook, WA rolled out Australia's "toughest firearms laws" in 2024-2025 – mandatory mental health checks, hunting land registrations, per-hunt consents, and ownership limits tied to "genuine reasons." No major tragedy prompted it; it was just "reform" for reform's sake, burdening rural folks with red tape while criminals sourced black-market guns. Sound familiar? The federal bill mirrors this: No direct link to stopping terrorists (who often use illegal weapons anyway), but plenty of hoops for law-abiders. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke admitted the Bondi shooters "had hate in their hearts and guns in their hands," but his solution? A buyback that could force surrenders of legal firearms, potentially without "just terms" compensation. If Labor was truly targeting terror, why not amp up ASIO funding or border security instead of eyeing grandpa's bolt-action?

This isn't novel – it's the Rahm Emanuel playbook: "Never let a serious crisis go to waste." Bondi was Australia's crisis, and Labor wasted no time. As Blak and Black blogged, the bill's "expedited timetable" smacks of dodging democratic legitimacy, with vague terms risking arbitrary enforcement. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens face jail for "promoting hatred" (what counts? A heated Facebook post?), or losing gun licenses over old convictions unrelated to violence.

The Real Victims: Everyday Aussies, Not Extremists

The irony? Terrorists don't play by rules – the Akrams allegedly used prohibited weapons, not popping into a gun shop with a license. Yet this bill's gun provisions (Schedule 4) could dry up imports for legal owners, mandate ongoing intel checks (hello, privacy invasion), and criminalise sharing online manufacturing info (even for hobbyists). In SA farmers already navigate strict regs; this adds federal overreach without solving black-market flows. On hate speech, while curbing real incitement is needed, the bill's broad strokes could muzzle debate on migration or religion, as critics fear. Ordinary citizens – not terrorists – bear the brunt.

Europe's a cautionary tale: Strict gun laws in the UK and France haven't eradicated terror; Paris attacks used smuggled AKs. Why repeat failures?

Time to Call It Out: Demand Better Than Opportunism

Labor's bill might score points post-Bondi, but it's opportunistic at best, authoritarian at worst. We need targeted anti-terror tools, not blanket curbs on freedoms. As One Nation's surge in polls shows, Aussies are waking up to establishment games.