Tag Archives: oceania

NSW expected to pass gun and hate speech laws as premier shakes off challenge

2025-12-23 FreeNews

NSW parliament is expected to pass hate speech and gun laws in the coming hours in the wake of the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, as Premier Chris Minns doubles down against a constitutional challenge in court.

Minns said the bill, designed to drastically change hate speech and gun laws in NSW, has passed the lower house and is expected to pass parliament later today or early tomorrow morning.

"The passage of this legislation is the single best thing we can do in the short run to keep the people of NSW safe," he told reporters this afternoon.

NSW Parliament is expected to pass the harshest gun reforms in the country today in the wake of the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach

"I understand it's very difficult to cobble together a political party to pass meaningful reform, but the Labor Party and the Liberal Party together have managed to do that in the last 24 hours."

The reforms include a controversial ban on protests during a terrorism declaration, which would allow NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon to extend an initial 14-day declaration to up to three months.

It has already received a constitutional challenge in the High Court over the potential impact it will have on civil liberties.

But Minns said he is confident the law will withstand the challenge.

"All I will say is that we've run our legislation thoroughly through the Crown solicitor," he said.

Minns linked the actions of some who have attended pro-Palestine protests to the Bondi shooting and said organisers are "unleashing force that they can't control".

"In virtually all aspects of government policy, there's an acknowledgement that words lead to actions. We hear it all the time. We accept that it is true," he said.

"But if that's the case, as an idea or a concept, then that must be the situation as it applies to protests in NSW.

"How can it be that a protest can take place in the state and there's a swastika tattooed on the Star of David on a poster in the middle of the city?

"Or photos of the Ayatollah, the leader of Iran? Or posters or flags of Hezbollah or Hamas? The terrorist leader, Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's leader, a big framed picture of that leader there? Shirts saying, 'Death to the IDF'. A sign that says 'All Zionists are neo-Nazis.'"

Pro-Palestinian protesters march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to call for an end to Israel's war in Gaza. Sunday 3rd August 2025

Minns reiterated he wanted a "summer of calm" following the horror scenes at Bondi Beach on December 14.

"I think that a big mass protest through the heart of Sydney at the moment would be ruinous for our unity, and I don't resolve from that," he said.

The Palestine Action Group, Jews Against the Occupation and the First Nations-led Blak Caucus together have launched the constitutional challenge, saying the proposed reforms are undemocratic.

"This is the latest set of Chris Minns knee-jerk, undemocratic anti-protest laws, which are being passed again on the basis of a series of lies and misinformation and outrageous conflating of this horrible antisemitic attack at Bondi, with the protest movement more broadly, and with the Palestine protest movement in particular," Palestine Action Group organiser Josh Lees said at a press conference today.

"These laws, if passed, don't just affect the Palestine movement.

"These laws will take away the rights of everyone in NSW to gather together as a community, to express their views, to express their opposition to whatever government policies they oppose, to demand change."

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Police officer critically injured in Bondi attack wakes from coma

2025-12-23 FreeNews

One of the police officers seriously injured in last week's terror attack at Bondi Beach has woken from a medically induced coma, while the other has left hospital and returned home in time for Christmas.

Constable Scott Dyson was one of two police officers left in a critical condition after he was shot while confronting the two gunmen who opened fire on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sunday, December 14.

Scott had been in a medically induced coma since the event and has undergone surgery almost daily.

His family said in a statement today Dyson has been "getting stronger each day".

"Today, he was woken up for the first time," the family said.

"There is still a long way to go in his recovery but this is a positive sign.

"We would like to thank the public for the support, messages and well wishes shown to Scott and our family during this difficult time.

"We are also grateful for the tireless work of his medical team.

"Our focus remains on Scott's continued recovery and we kindly ask for our family's privacy to be respected."

Dyson's colleague, Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert, lost sight in one eye after he was shot last week.

The 22-year-old will recover from home after being discharged from hospital today and will need "space, support and continued positive thoughts", his family said in a statement.

Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert lost sight in one eye after he was shot.

"As a family, we couldn't ask for anything more, having our Jack home, especially for Christmas, truly feels like a miracle," the family said.

"We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support, kind messages, and well wishes from the community, Jack's colleagues, friends and the emergency services.

"The care and dedication shown by the medical staff has been nothing short of exceptional.

"We kindly ask that our family's privacy be respected as we focus on Jack's recovery and spend this special time together.

"Thank you again for the compassion, love, and support shown to our family.

"Jacko you've shown strength of a different degree, we are so glad you're home buddy."

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said last week the NSW Police Force would rally around Hibbert and "find appropriate duties for him" after his recovery.

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Family pays tribute to Fiona Cameron and Tomi Muliaga after fatal Foxton Beach house fire

2025-12-23 FreeNews

Daughter says December 9 blaze left them ‘absolutely devastated’.

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US company buys Queensland’s Hamilton Island

2025-12-24 FreeNews

Hamilton Island is set to change hands as its owners offload the tropical paradise to a private equity company in the US.

Blackstone has acquired the famous Queensland resort owned by the billionaire Oatley family for more than two decades.

The deal, which could see the US company become a major force in Australia's hospitality sector, is now subject to regulatory approval.

Hamilton Island is set to change hands.

Blackstone has more than $1.2 trillion in assets globally and took over Crown Resorts for $8.9 billion several years ago.

The Oatley family acquired the popular tourist destination in 2003 after it won a bid for 100 per cent of the shares in Hamilton Island when it was a publicly-listed company.

The late Bob Oatley, a renowned Australian winemaker and patriarch of the family, wanted to establish Hamilton Island as a destination anyone on any income could enjoy.

US private equity company Blackstone has has acquired the famous Queensland resort.

The Oatley family has spent more than $350 million on improvements to the island, which has won more than 50 awards in recent years.

Blackstone chairman of Asia Pacific and head of Asia real estate Chris Heady told the Australian Financial Review the company wanted to build on the Oatley's investment in the island.

"Hospitality and leisure is a key investment theme at Blackstone globally including in the Asia Pacific region, where we've brought scale and operational expertise to invest in and build leading brands," Heady said.

"We are committed to investing in the long-term success of Hamilton Island, its people, and its local businesses and community."

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Controversial travel allowances for MPs set for major overhaul

2025-12-23 FreeNews

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has recommended changes to parliamentary rules so MPs' politicians can only fly economy class to Canberra on the taxpayers' dime.

Politicians have come under scrutiny for their use of family travel expense entitlements, which left their constituents footing a $1.1 million bill in the 2024-25 financial year.

Albanese, who previously dismissed calls to amend the rules, has now written to the Remuneration Tribunal with proposed changes after receiving advice from the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA).

"I do not have the power at the stroke of a pen to change entitlements; the Remuneration Tribunal has the power," he said at a press conference this afternoon.

The changes would make the families of parliamentarians fly economy class, rather than business class, and restrict travel to and from anywhere in Australia to just Canberra and within an MP's electorate or a senator's state.

A partner or spouse of a senior parliamentarian would also only be able attend events and have their travel fees paid for if they have received an official invitation and are related to the portfolio.

"That is, if you're an environment minister, (the event) is connected to the environment or parliamentary responsibilities as well," Albanese said.

Albanese also suggested that careful consideration should be given to new parents and children, so that they are not disadvantaged.

"We want a parliament that reflects Australia in all its diversity, and that includes the fact that this parliament looks very different from what it did when I came here in 1996 and that that's a good thing," he said.

The Remuneration Tribunal will consider the letter and its suggested changes in January.

Qantas plane

Parliamentary rules allow politicians who are away from their home on official business to fly out their partner, children and other family members to them at taxpayer expense.

Communications Minister Anika Wells faced scrutiny over travel allowances after it was revealed she spent $100,000 on a trip to New York to promote Australia's social media ban.

She was also found to have billed the taxpayer thousands of dollars to fly her family to the Thredbo ski resort and her husband to major sporting events like the AFL grand final and the Boxing Day cricket Test match under her role as sports minister.

Wells denied any wrongdoing, saying she had followed the rules, but both she and Attorney-General Michelle Rowland referred themselves to the IPEA for an expense audit.

Rowland confirmed she has paid back about $10,000 for a $21,000 taxpayer-funded trip to Perth following that review.

IPEA data showed federal politicians spent more than $1.1 million in 2024-25 on their family's travel expenses, with Tourism and Trade Minister Don Farrell racking up the highest bill, followed by WA senator Fatima Payman and former opposition leader Peter Dutton.

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Pashion Ramsay fired shots into young family’s home amid meth-crazed Facebook fraud offending

2025-12-23 FreeNews

Pashion Ramsay would show fake proof that she had paid for vehicles.

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Prayer hall linked to controversial preacher to be shut down

2025-12-23 FreeNews

A Sydney Islamic centre linked to controversial preacher Wissam Haddad has been shut down for illegally operating as a prayer hall.

Canterbury-Bankstown Council issued a "cease use" directive over Haddad's use of the Al Madina Dawah Centre in the city's south-west.

A review of council records dating back to 1970 revealed the centre was never approved to operate as a prayer hall and was only recently being approved to operate as a medical centre.

Al Madina Dawah Centre which has been shut down by the council in Bankstown.

The centre never sought authorisation to change the use of the address from a medical centre to a prayer hall, according to the council.

"Our recent surveillance indicates there is a strong suspicion the premises is being used contrary to its intended use," a council spokesperson said.

"We have issued the cease use notices, which will be effective immediately.

"There are no compromises, and we will be taking further action if they don't comply."

Council has also issued notices to the building's owner and other related parties to alert them of the currently approved use.

Al Madina Dawah Centre has been criticised for its association with Haddad, also known as Abu Ousayd.

He has reportedly been associated with the alleged Bondi terrorist Naveed Akram and was found in the Federal Court in July to have breached the Racial Discrimination Act for antisemitic lectures.

Haddad has denied any prior knowledge of the Bondi attack.

Al Madina Dawah Centre has also come under new management in the past week, and said it believed it did not need a development application as the previous owners had operated out of the site for four years without any issue.

It insisted that Haddad held no management or administration role, operational authority, or decision-making at the centre and had only attended as an occasional guest speaker.

Islamic preacher Wissam Haddad.

"Al Madina Group rejects any attempt to conflate administrative or planning matters with allegations of extremism, national security, or criminal conduct," it said in a statement today.

"Such framing is not only misleading (but) dangerously irresponsible."

Haddad was previously ordered to shut down unauthorised prayer meetings at a venue on Eldon Street in Georges Hall in 2023 which was only approved to operate as a gym.

He, however, failed to comply and was issued with another notice and eventually closed.

After media reports emerged that he was preaching from the Al Madina Dawah Centre in May, the council investigated and carried out surveillance of the property.

But they found no evidence to issue a notice.

After continued surveillance, they gained photo evidence that the address was being used for unauthorised purposes.

"Council needs to make it clear that we have no control over what is preached inside these 'illegal' prayer halls and our role is to ensure the premises are used in accordance with their authorised use," the council spokesperson said.

"We will continue to monitor the centre and will be taking further action if necessary."

Non-compliance with the order could lead to a $3000 fine for an individual and $6000 fine for a corporation.

NSW Parliament is expected to pass the harshest gun reforms in the country today in the wake of the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach

Premier Chris Minns said he supported the council's decision and offered his support for more operations.

"This is an important change not just for that community but for NSW," he told reporters this afternoon.

"I want to make it clear that it is not the end of the matter.

"We need to take decisive steps, whether through planning laws and hate speech, to send the message to those intent on putting hate in people's hearts or spreading racism in the community, that they will be met with the full force of the law, and that's exactly what happened today."

Minns added the community can "expect more of this, not less of it, in the weeks to come".