What we learned, Wednesday 24 December
And with that, we are going to close the blog. Before we go, let’s recap the big headlines:
The New South Wales Minns Labor government passed controversial changes to gun laws and new powers for police to ban street protests for up to three months, after a marathon debate in the upper house.
Minns also said that controversial protest laws which restrict public assemblies for up to three months after a terrorist attack would start from today.
A national database of individuals charged with offences under hate crimes legislation across all Australian jurisdictions was launched after the Bondi shooting.
The Israeli president, Issac Herzog, will visit Australia early in the new year as a formal state visit.
The NSW lower house will reconvened to approve the final version of the terrorism and other offences amendment bill, which tightens up gun laws and allows police to restrict protests for up to three months after a terrorist incident.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, announced a special end-of-year honours list for those who responded to the Bondi Beach attack.
The Sydney to Hobart’s race briefing began with a minute’s silence for the two sailors who died in last year’s event.
The shadow education minister, Julian Leeser, says the family of Katrina Dawson, who was killed by police crossfire during the 2014 Lindt cafe siege, have called for a royal commission into the Bondi attack.
Thank you for spending part of your day with us. Happy holidays!
Updated
Authorities urge caution around water over festive break
Emergency services are bracing for one of the year’s deadliest periods, with data revealing spikes in drownings, alcohol-related injuries and road crashes during the festive season, AAP reports.
An average of three people a day drowned between Christmas Day 2024 and 1 January, making the upcoming period a high-risk time, particularly for those travelling to unfamiliar or remote locations.
The Royal Life Saving Society has warned that at least 139 lives were lost due to drownings in the previous summer, nearly half of whom were adults aged 55 and older.
Approximately 30% were made up of people born overseas.
The society’s chief executive, Justin Scarr, said:
The festive season is a time for relaxing, social gatherings and celebrations, but we know this is the riskiest time to be around water.
Alcohol is often a factor in summer drownings, Scarr added.
Updated
