Parliament Recalled as PM Pushes Fast-Tracked Hate Speech and Gun Reforms

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has recalled Parliament for an early sitting in a bid to fast-track new hate speech laws and reforms to Australia's gun regulations, following the deadly Bondi terror attack.

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate will return to Canberra next Monday and Tuesday, more than a week earlier than the scheduled February 3 start to the parliamentary year.

The sitting will open with a condolence motion that Mr Albanese said would "unequivocally condemn" the Bondi attack, which claimed 15 lives, and commit the Parliament to eradicating antisemitism. The Prime Minister confirmed the wording of the motion had been agreed in consultation with the Opposition.

He said the motion would allow MPs to unite in expressing sympathy to victims' families, acknowledge those injured, and recognise the swift actions of police, first responders and healthcare workers.

The government is expected to release its proposed hate speech legislation on Tuesday, ahead of debate during the recalled sittings. The package will also incorporate a framework for a national gun buyback scheme.

Mr Albanese said jurisdictions critical of the proposed 50-50 funding split with the Commonwealth would need to justify their position to their communities.

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

According to the Prime Minister, the reforms will introduce tougher penalties for hate crimes, create new offences targeting hate preachers and those who radicalise young Australians, and establish a specific offence for inciting hatred to intimidate or harass.

The legislation would also broaden bans on prohibited symbols and make it easier for the Home Affairs Minister to cancel or refuse visas to individuals who promote hate or division.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the Coalition would carefully assess the proposed laws after receiving a briefing from the government.

In a statement, Ms Ley expressed concern about combining multiple complex policy areas into a single bill, arguing that freedom of speech and firearms regulation were distinct issues.

Opposition Home Affairs spokesperson Jonno Duniam said the Coalition reserved the right to seek amendments or push for the bill to be split.

He flagged concerns about limited community consultation and what he described as a rushed legislative process, saying the Opposition would scrutinise the proposals to avoid unintended consequences.