What we learned: Monday 22 December
That’s where we’ll leave the blog for today. I hope you have a nice evening. We’ll be back tomorrow with more news. Until then, here were today’s top stories:
Palestine supporters gathered in Sydney to protest the Minns governments’ proposed anti-protest laws, where they defied the premier and chanted the “globalise the intifada” phrase he has signall plans to band.
New South Wales parliament resumed for an emergency sitting to debate new protest laws and gun law reforms, with the Coalition indicating it would support both pieces of legislation despite reservations.
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, announced her government would introduce new police protest powers similar to those introduced to NSW parliament.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said “I feel the weight of responsibility” for the Bondi terrorist attack as he addressed the media in Canberra. He continued to brush off calls for a federal royal commission into the attack.
Federal Labor lashed the opposition leader, Sussan Ley, for politicising the Bondi beach shooting, calling efforts by the Coalition to launch partisan attacks on Labor over the deaths of 15 people “incredibly unfortunate”.
The attorney-general, Michelle Rowland, announced federal cabinet had agreed to progress a new package of anti-hate speech legislation.
The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, promised tougher action against organisations such as neo-Nazi group the National Socialist Network.
Alleged Bondi shooter Naveed Akram left hospital under riot squad guard and was moved to a New South Wales prison, police have confirmed.
The energy minister, Chris Bowen, announced Australia will have a gas reservation policy preventing gas exports from going overseas unless the government is satisfied domestic demand is sufficient.
And the agreement for the transition of the Northern Beaches hospital to the state’s public hospital system was signed after months of negotiations.
Updated
NSW Coalition split over gun reforms
In New South Wales parliament, which has been recalled for an emergency sitting week in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack, the government’s proposed gun law reforms are causing all sorts of pain for the state Coalition.
The Nationals have already indicated they will oppose them, causing another split on an issue with the Liberals.
Now Wendy Tuckerman (the Goulburn Liberal MP) has just indicated in her second reading debate contribution that she’s planning to cross the floor and vote against the government’s bill.
Updated
