As the government attempts to push the laws through in response to the Bondi terror attack, the Coalition is getting ready to vote against Labor’s fast tracked hate speech and gun package, setting up a crucial recall of the federal parliament for next week.
Parliament is due to sit on Monday 19 January and Tuesday 20 January after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese brought the schedule forward with the first order of business set to be a condolence motion for those killed and affected by the 14 December attack in Sydney.
Labor wants the bill introduced on Monday and passed on Tuesday, with the government aiming to send it to the Senate the same day.
The proposed legislation known as the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026, combines changes pertaining to background checks and firearms import controls with new federal hate speech offences, a framework for listing hate groups, expanded visa powers and a national firearms buyback.
The gun measures are pitched as part of a broader push to tighten checks and disrupt extremist access to firearms including changes that would allow intelligence held by agencies to be used as part of a national background checking framework with states and territories retaining the licensing decision.
The Coalition’s decision to oppose the combined bill puts Labor in a position where it may need the Greens and crossbench to pass the package in the narrow timeframe.
The Opposition has argued the bill is too complex to be forced through in two days and has raised concerns about drafting and how provisions would operate in practice including around religious protections.
Andrew Hastie, Liberal MP said, “Those three freedoms are fundamental to any democratic society.”
The government rejects the claim it is trying to wedge the opposition by tying guns and hate speech together. Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister, said at a press conference that “This is not about politics.”
The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security is reviewing an exposure draft has held hearings this week and is accepting submissions until 4pm on Thursday 15 January.
Labor has framed the package as urgent after the 14 December shooting which killed 15 people and which police allege was inspired by Islamic State, arguing the reforms need to address both hateful motivation and access to weapons.
The Greens have not finalised their position but the party has flagged it will push for changes if it becomes the decisive vote.
With the Coalition headed for a no and Labor insisting the bill must move quickly, the negotiations over amendments and safeguards are likely to intensify before parliament sits on 19 and 20 January.
