AUSTRALIAN PM RECALLS PARLIAMENT TO INTRODUCE HATE SPEECH AND GUN LAWS

CANBERRA, Jan 12 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Australia's parliament will be recalled next week to introduce new hate speech and gun laws in response to the Bondi terror attack on Dec. 14, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday, reported Xinhua.

Speaking at a press conference, the prime minister stated that both houses will return on Jan. 19 and 20, earlier than the scheduled return on Feb. 2.

"The terrorists at Bondi Beach had hatred in their minds but guns in their hands. This law will deal with both, and we need to deal with both," Albanese said.

The Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill covers a comprehensive set of reforms, including tougher penalties for hate crimes, new offences targeting hate preachers seeking to radicalise young Australians and incite hatred to intimidate and harass, and a strengthened ban on prohibited symbols.

If passed, the bill will also make it easier for the Home Affairs minister to cancel or refuse a visa for people intent on spreading hatred and enable the minister to list organisations as prohibited hate groups.

The government is going to move a condolence motion to acknowledge the victims of the attack before debating the bill.

The legislation will also set up the National Guns Buyback Scheme, aiming at "getting guns off" Australian streets.

"We want to ensure that Australia remains a society where everyone has the right to be proud of who they are, and we also want to make it clear that conduct which is hateful, dangerous, and divisive will also be illegal," the prime minister said. 

--BERNAMA-XINHUA