Australia Passes New Gun and Hate Crime Laws After Sydney Attack

The Australian parliament has passed major new laws on gun control and hate crimes. This action is a direct response to a deadly mass shooting in Sydney last year. The reforms follow the Bondi Junction attack in April, which killed six people. However, the government also cited a separate, earlier shooting as a key reason. That incident occurred in December at a Jewish festival. It was Australia's worst mass shooting in decades. The new legislation includes a national gun register. This database will track all firearms in the country. It is designed to close legal loopholes and improve police monitoring. A second new law increases penalties for hate crimes. It also makes the public display of hate symbols a criminal offense. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the reforms aim to keep Australians safe. "We are acting to strengthen gun laws and to tackle hate," he told parliament. The opposition supported both bills, allowing them to pass quickly.