Fighting Antisemitism and Keeping Guns out of the Hands of Terrorists and Criminals Amendment Bill 2026

Spoke in strong support of the bill, praising the introduction of preparatory offences to stop terrorists before they strike and the government's calm, methodical response to the Bondi attack.

“This is not a kneejerk reaction; this is responsible leadership.”— 2026-03-05View Hansard

Acknowledged welcomed clauses regarding freedom of religious worship but criticised the rushed process, lack of scrutiny of the two prohibited expressions, and argued the bill contains weak gun laws that put Queenslanders at risk.

“Let's be clear, the two expressions that have now been tabled to be included in the legislation were not included in the bill, and I believe that this is a deliberate, tricky tactic to deny appropriate scrutiny by the committee.”— 2026-03-04View Hansard

Introduced the bill in response to the December 2025 Bondi Beach terrorist attack, outlining new offences for hate symbols and expressions, stronger protections for faith communities, increased penalties for weapons offences, a new drive-by shooting offence, a ban on 3D-printed firearm blueprints, and expanded police powers.

“This bill provides for a range of Criminal Code amendments focusing on strong penalties and targeted measures and addressing terrorist symbols, hateful expressions and protections for faith communities in order to provide a balanced and considered criminal justice response to the rise of anti-Semitism.”— 2026-02-10View Hansard

Condemned antisemitism but argued the bill was poorly constructed and an attack on free speech, criticising the Premier for being rolled by his own backbench and for ignoring Labor's offer of bipartisan cooperation. Acknowledged supporting some elements like protections for places of worship but concluded the bill was a comprehensively missed opportunity.

“In the end, this bill is an opportunity comprehensively missed by the LNP, an opportunity to implement strong, nationally consistent gun reforms that avoid turning Queensland into a safe haven for gun-wielding gangs, criminals and terrorists, and to protect Queensland's multicultural communities without compromising freedom of speech.”— 2026-03-05View Hansard

Supported the bill as a targeted response to anti-Semitism and firearms crime, arguing it draws a clear line against hate and introduces some of the toughest firearms penalties in the country.

“This bill does exactly what it says: it takes specific, targeted action to fight anti-Semitism and to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists and criminals.”— 2026-03-04View Hansard

Spoke in strong support, arguing the bill draws a clear line against hate and anti-Semitism while targeting terrorists and criminals without punishing law-abiding firearm owners.

“Freedom of speech does not mean freedom to menace. Artistic licence does not mean licence to incite hatred.”— 2026-03-05View Hansard

Strongly supported stamping out anti-Semitism and increasing penalties for firearms misuse, but expressed concerns about potential impacts on freedom of speech and duplication of existing laws, while urging vigilance to protect fundamental freedoms.

“While I support the government's desire to send a strong message, we must also be extremely careful that in our response we do not trample on fundamental freedoms, particularly the freedom of speech.”— 2026-03-04View Hansard

Argued the bill goes too far on freedom of speech by criminalising contested phrases with jail time, and does not go far enough on gun reform. Criticised the rushed process and last-minute amendments as a shambles.

“Criminalising widely contested phrases that the government of the day deem are offensive, with jail time attached, is an outright attack on freedom of speech by Premier Crisafulli and his government.”— 2026-03-05View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as a comprehensive and measured response to the Bondi attack, drawing on personal experience visiting Holocaust sites to argue that anti-Semitism must be confronted through both hate speech and firearms reforms.

“This legislation is carefully framed. It does not criminalise genuine academic, artistic, religious or historical discussion. It does not shut down legitimate debate.”— 2026-03-04View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, emphasising the need to address hatred and anti-Semitism while supporting law-abiding firearm owners. Highlighted specific provisions on penalties for stolen firearms, 3D printed guns, and storage requirements.

“This is good legislation, but as a state we can access only some levers needed to address these issues, not all.”— 2026-03-05View Hansard

Supported the anti-Semitism measures and commended the government's firearms approach for not targeting law-abiding gun owners, but foreshadowed an amendment to remove sections 57 and 58 regarding quashed convictions affecting weapons licensing, and warned the government is walking on dangerous ground regarding freedom of speech.

“I foreshadow that I will be moving an amendment to remove sections 57 and 58, which relate to people who have convictions that are quashed or not recorded.”— 2026-03-04View Hansard

Condemned antisemitism and welcomed provisions protecting places of worship, new weapons offences, and the removal of the regulation-making power for prohibited expressions. However, raised concerns about the need for proper safeguards on free speech and called on the government to implement the Wieambilla Coroner's recommendations on mandatory mental health checks and participate in the Commonwealth gun buyback.

“It is essential that these laws get the balance right between protecting Queenslanders and freedom of speech.”— 2026-03-05View Hansard

Supported the bill as a reflection of Australia's citizenship pledge values, arguing that hatred directed at any group weakens democratic beliefs for all and that the bill protects social cohesion by drawing clear lines against intimidation and violence.

“This bill is about ensuring that our laws reflect the promise embedded in our citizenship pledge, that our values and beliefs are shared, that never will we accept the permeation of hate in our towns and our homes.”— 2026-03-04View Hansard

Supported the bill and amendments, praising the firearms provisions for making sensible reforms without punishing law-abiding owners, and defending the proscription of the two phrases as necessary to combat rising anti-Semitism.

“These phrases 'from the river to the sea' and 'globalise the intifada' are sinister phrases and it is entirely disingenuous to portray them as merely a slogan used in the course of peacefully pushing a particular point of view in a public forum.”— 2026-03-05View Hansard

Stated Labor will always support measures to protect multicultural communities and keep guns out of wrong hands, but heavily criticised the rushed process, freedom of speech concerns, and argued the government ignored stakeholder and expert advice.

“The Labor opposition will always support measures to protect multicultural communities and keep guns out of the wrong hands. That includes introducing stronger penalties for attacking places of worship and reforms to gun legislation.”— 2026-03-04View Hansard

Condemned antisemitism but argued the bill is troublingly broad and vague, criticised the government for rushing the legislation without meaningful consultation, and called for proper bipartisan cooperation and evidence-based approaches to both gun reform and protecting communities.

“The bill before this parliament is troublingly broad and, in parts, vague. It bundles multiple complex issues—protection of places of worship, new criminal offences around speech and symbols, and firearms reforms—into one package.”— 2026-03-05View Hansard

Supported the bill's strengthened bans on hate symbols, increased penalties for religious worship offences, and firearms reforms including tighter storage and licensing requirements, noting support from sporting shooters in his electorate after the government listened to their concerns.

“I have no hesitation in supporting and recommending the Fighting Antisemitism and Keeping Guns out of the hands of Terrorists and Criminals Amendment Bill 2026 to the House.”— 2026-03-04View Hansard

Supported the bill as Minister for Primary Industries, defending the firearms provisions as sensible reforms that support law-abiding firearm owners while cracking down on criminals. Criticised Labor for demonising lawful firearm owners and cited strong constituent support.

“These laws make Queensland safer while recognising that law-abiding firearm owners are not the issue.”— 2026-03-05View Hansard

Expressed absolute support for measures to deter anti-Semitism, stronger penalties for attacks on places of worship, and gun reform, but heavily criticised the rushed process, lack of consultation with stakeholders and faith communities, and the government's refusal of bipartisan cooperation.

“Stronger penalties for attacks on churches, mosques and synagogues, we support. Gun reform we support—though they should have gone further.”— 2026-03-04View Hansard

Welcomed many provisions but raised serious concerns about the curtailed committee process, the narrow focus risking further polarisation, and the need for education and prevention over legislation alone. Thanked the government for removing the regulation-making power but questioned whether the bill would genuinely improve community safety given the flawed parliamentary process.

“Legislation must be underpinned by systems that work for everyday Queenslanders, not against. Zero transparency is not acceptable, nor is the endless blame and politicking around horrendous and abhorrent behaviours in our society.”— 2026-03-05View Hansard

Supported the bill as introducing strong new laws to address anti-Semitism and tighten gun laws, praising the government's calm and methodical approach and noting the toughest firearms penalties in the country.

“This bill before us today finally introduces strong new laws that address anti-Semitism by ensuring the perpetrators of hate speech and anti-Semitic behaviour are shut down.”— 2026-03-04View Hansard

Confined his contribution to the firearms component, praising the government's calm and considered approach that addresses the underlying issues of hate and anti-Semitism without penalising law-abiding farmers and recreational shooters. Cited overwhelming constituent support from his social media post.

“I am confident that not only has the Crisafulli government approached this highly emotive issue in a calm and methodical manner but it has found the right balance between public safety and the right of Australians to live in peace free from fear and the rights of licensed firearm holders.”— 2026-03-05View Hansard

Expressed profound sadness over the Bondi attack and support for combating anti-Semitism, but criticised the rushed process and lack of opportunity for all members to speak on foreshadowed amendments, contrasting it unfavourably with the previous government's more thorough hate speech legislation process.

“The changes that we now have before us were not part of the bill at the time the committee was considering it and, therefore, not all members of this place have had the opportunity to speak on these changes.”— 2026-03-04View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, reflecting on its historical significance and sharing personal stories of encounters with Holocaust survivors and visits to Israel to underscore the importance of combating anti-Semitism.

“Occasionally there are bills that are of complete historical significance, and I will look back on the passing of this legislation knowing in my heart of hearts how important it is.”— 2026-03-05View Hansard

Supported the bill as a deliberate and proportionate response to the Bondi attack, backing stronger prohibitions on hate symbols, new offences for prohibited expressions, increased firearms penalties, and tighter licensing and storage requirements.

“This bill does exactly what it says. It fights anti-Semitism and it keeps guns out of the hands of terrorists and criminals. Our response is not symbolic. It is deliberate and proportionate to the threat we now face.”— 2026-03-04View Hansard

Expressed solidarity with the Jewish community but criticised the bill for seeking political advantage rather than genuine protection, arguing the new place of worship provisions duplicate existing laws while adding a hurdle to prosecution. Was cut off by time limit before completing his speech.

“The Premier is doing what he always does when introducing laws—that is, seeking advantage not for the people of Queensland but for himself.”— 2026-03-05View Hansard

As Minister for Police, delivered the reply speech defending the bill as a necessary and powerful response to the Bondi attack. Announced amendments to remove the regulation-making power and enshrine prohibited phrases directly in legislation, and highlighted Labor's record of opposing tougher gun laws in opposition.

“Let me be crystal clear. This is not about stifling free speech; it is about protecting our Queensland Jewish communities from the harm caused by hateful and extremist ideologies.”— 2026-03-05View Hansard