In the wake of a recent National Security Committee meeting, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke addressed the media to discuss ongoing advancements at both the federal and state levels. These developments are part of an effort to enhance national security measures.

Minister Burke elaborated on the legislative progress, stating, “We are preparing the instructions for the Commonwealth’s legislative changes. Some of these will be ready for release tomorrow, while others will follow immediately after Christmas.”

The proposed Commonwealth Firearms Reform package is a key focus, featuring initiatives such as a gun buyback scheme, enhanced intelligence sharing, stricter import controls on firearms-related goods, and the introduction of new offenses concerning 3D-printed firearms. Additionally, there is a consideration to remove merits review at various stages of the application process to streamline proceedings.

Efforts are also being made to expedite the establishment of a Hate Crimes Database and a National Firearms Register. These resources aim to provide comprehensive information to both the public and the authorities responsible for issuing gun licenses, ensuring a more informed and secure environment.

On a related note, there are proposed amendments to hate speech legislation. These changes would allow for the proscription of certain organizations that, while not classified as traditional terror groups, express animosity towards Australia, broadening the scope of entities subject to legal action.

Burke specifically name-checked Hizb-ut-Tahrir and neo-Nazis as organisations that had for years managed to stay on the right side of the law and the wrong side of society.

“The intention of the legislation is to be able to stop them from operating. That’s the intention,” Burke said.

“So a number of the consequences that currently apply to organisations that are listed as terror organisations would effectively be a very close to exact match here.”

Burke said legislation on both major reforms would likely be ready to go before federal parliament before most state governments had developed their own legislation.

“No jurisdictions are preventing the work from being progressed,” Burke said.

“There is goodwill still across all jurisdictions. And I think that’s because it’s backed so strongly by the Australian people.”