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Police are reminding the community that unauthorised public assemblies are currently restricted following a declaration made by the NSW Police Commissioner.

On Wednesday (24 December 2025), Commissioner Mal Lanyon made a Public Assembly Restriction Declaration (a declaration) under new laws following the Bondi terror attack.

The declaration restricts public assemblies across the entire Sydney metropolitan region for 14 days.

Gatherings are permitted but police may issue move on directions for people causing obstructions or behaving in an intimidatory or harassing manner, or people who might cause or be likely to cause fear in another person.

Police will also have authority to require removal of any face coverings worn by people suspected of committing offences for identification purposes.

Police are aware of social media posts regarding an alleged violent call to action at a beach in Sydney’s south tomorrow (Saturday 27 December 2025).

Operation Shelter Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Brendan Gorman, is reminding the public that there is no place for hatred or violence in our community.

The NSW Police Force has zero tolerance for any behaviour that threatens social cohesion in our state,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Gorman said.

Everyone in NSW deserves to be safe and feel safe.

Now is not the time for any behaviour that will cause division in our community.

Police officers are out in force to ensure the safety of the community and will be ready to respond to anyone who incites violence or hatred, commits violent offences, or participates in anti-social behaviour, harassment or intimidation.

Action will be taken against anyone who engages in criminal activity that is motivated by hate.”

We encourage anyone who is the victim of a hate crime or witnesses a hate crime to report the matter to police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. In an emergency, dial Triple Zero.

Important reforms tightening gun laws, cracking down on hateful symbols, restricting public assemblies following a terrorist attack and giving police more tools to protect the community have passed NSW Parliament.

The Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 passed Parliament today following the horrific antisemitic terror attack at Bondi which killed 15 innocent people earlier this month.

Toughest gun law reforms in a generation

The bill ensures that NSW has the toughest gun laws in the country, imposing a cap meaning that an individual can have no more than 4 firearms, with exemptions for primary producers who can have up to 10.

It limits straight-pull/pump action and button/lever release firearms to primary producers, reduces magazine capacity for category A and B firearms and prohibits firearms using belt-fed magazines.

Gun club membership will be mandatory for all firearms licence holders and people will no longer be able to seek to overturn a licence decision through the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Other significant gun reforms include requiring all gun clubs to use the GunSafe online platform, and a mandate of safe storage inspections before the issue of a permit.

This legislation will be accompanied by a comprehensive audit of existing firearms licences, as well as a gun buyback scheme, in partnership with the Federal Government.

Prohibiting hateful symbols

There is no excuse for hateful symbols which divide and inflame community tensions.

The legislation makes it an offence under NSW law to display publicly and without reasonable excuse a prohibited terrorist organisation’s symbol such as an ISIS, Hamas or Hezbollah flag.

This will carry a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment or a $22,000 fine or $110,000 for organisations.

A reasonable excuse includes for an academic purpose or another purpose in the public interest.

Restricting the authorisation of public assemblies

The bill also allows the Police Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner with the Minister for Police to restrict authorised assemblies in specific areas for 14 days following a terrorism declaration.

This is designed to deter divisive, inflammatory public assemblies which put community safety and cohesion at risk in the immediate aftermath of an attack.

Once a declaration is made, no public assemblies can be authorised in designated areas including by a court and police will be able to move people on if their behaviour or presence obstructs traffic or causes fear, harassment or intimidation.

The declaration can be extended by 14-day periods for up to three months. It will not stop quiet reflection, prayer or peaceful gatherings, which are not likely to cause fear or safety concerns.

The legislation also gives police greater powers to require someone suspected of committing an offence during a public assembly to remove their face covering.

Anyone at a public assembly who is suspected of committing an offence can be required to remove their face covering. Previously, this requirement only applied to someone suspected of committing an indictable offence.

Further measures to combat hate speech

Horrific recent events also show chants and slogans can shatter community cohesion and encourage violence.

Serious concerns have been raised over chants like “globalise the intifada” and hateful statements used to vilify and intimidate our community must be banned. 

The Attorney General has asked the Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety to conduct an inquiry into hateful statements.

It will recommend what laws should be introduced to tackle this abhorrent conduct with a view to introducing them when parliament returns in the new year.

These measures build on previous legislation to combat hate including new offences for inciting racial hatred and displaying Nazi symbols at Jewish places and additional protections for people seeking to attend their place of worship.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“None of these measures alone will end antisemitism and violence but together these reforms are the single best thing we can do to keep the people of New South Wales safe and prevent further harm.

“I acknowledge that these are very significant changes that not everyone will agree with, but our state has changed following the horrific antisemitic attack on Bondi Beach and our laws must change too.

“These laws get the balance right by providing police with the tools they need to calm a combustible situation in our state and keep people safe, while restricting access to dangerous weapons on our streets to reduce the risk of this happening again.”

Minister for Police Yasmin Catley said:

“The antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach has changed us forever and the Government is responding to try to prevent future harm.

“These reforms strengthen oversight, improve enforcement and reduce the risk when it comes to firearm ownership.

“We’re giving police the powers they need to best ensure the community is safe.”

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“These measures form a strong regime to protect the community from those who would seek to do us harm and tear us apart.

“There is no place for conduct which espouses hate, threatens or intimidates others and we are giving police the tools they need to hold perpetrators to account.

“We are ensuring those who publicly display terrorist symbols are met with the full force of the law.

“I know there is more work to do and have asked the Committee on Law and Safety to provide recommendations about further reforms to curb hate speech.

“The Government will take whatever measures needed to keep the community safe.”

As we wrap up another big year for New South Wales, I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.

This time of the year is about spending time with loved ones and enjoying everything that summer in our state has to offer. But I know that for countless families and communities, this season has been overshadowed by the horrific terror attack at Bondi Beach. It was an act of violence that shocked our city, rocked our state, and left a deep mark on all of us.

December the 14th should have been a normal summer day at one of the world’s most iconic places, but it became something none of us will ever forget. We grieve for the innocent lives lost, we hold their families tight and we continue to support those who were injured or traumatised. The pain of that day is real, and it will not be forgotten.

I also want to acknowledge the extraordinary courage and bravery shown in the face of unimaginable violence, from members of the public who acted instinctively to protect others, to the police, paramedics, lifesavers and hospital staff who responded with professionalism, compassion and bravery.

Their actions saved lives and reminded us of the very best of our community.

At the same time, we cannot allow terror, hatred or fear to define who we are as a city or a state. Our state is strong and united. Our beaches, our parks, our streets and our neighbourhoods belong to everyone. We will continue to enjoy our summer, support one another, and look out for each other.

I know not everyone will get to take a break this Christmas. So, to our essential workers, thank you for continuing to keep us safe, we are deeply grateful.

I wish you and your loved ones a safe and joyful Christmas and New Years.

The first project has been approved through the Minns Labor Government’s Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) pathway, paving the way for homes to progress to construction.

The Gordon project is one of more than 300 proposals amounting to over 102,000 potential new homes to be declared State significant following the HDA’s recommendation and the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces’ declaration. It has been assessed and approved in seven months, faster than the nine month average expected timeframe.

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure then assessed, publicly exhibited and finalised the $110 million development under the Gordon Transport Oriented Development controls.

It will deliver two connected 7-8 storey towers with 106 apartments including affordable housing, landscaping and new communal open spaces.

Located just 200 metres from Gordon’s shops, residents will also be within a five-minute walk of Gordon train station.

The proposal underwent a full assessment process and community consultation to consider its economic, environmental, and social impacts.

The project is expected to generate 165 jobs – 160 construction roles and five ongoing operational roles – delivering a jobs and housing boost to North Sydney.

The NSW Government established the HDA to help streamline the delivery of high yield, well-located homes and help the state reach its Housing Accord target.

It offers a clear planning pathway for large residential and mixed-use developments to be assessed as State significant development or State significant development with a concurrent rezoning.

The HDA builds on the Minns Labor Government’s reforms to the planning system to supercharge the delivery of more homes, including:

• Passage of the landmark Planning System Reforms Bill 2025 through both houses of Parliament with almost universal support.
• The development of the NSW Pattern Book and accelerated planning pathway for those who use the pre-approved patterns.
• The largest rezoning in NSW history around transport hubs and shopping centres to address the “missing middle.”
• The largest ever investment in the delivery of social and affordable housing in NSW.
• $200 million in financial incentives for councils that meet the new expectations for development applications, planning proposals and strategic planning.
• $450 million to build new apartments for essential workers including nurses, paramedics, teachers, allied health care workers, police officers and firefighters.
• The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee to accelerate housing supply by reducing the risk for lenders and getting residential construction started.

Since the formation of the HDA, 146 projects have had Secretary Environmental Assessment Requirements issued and 21 projects have lodged State significant applications under the pathway.

Construction of the Gordon project is expected to begin in mid-2026.

For more information visit the Housing Delivery Authority web page.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Less than 12 months after setting up the Housing Delivery Authority, we’re seeing major progress with the HDA pathway fast-tracking homes that will soon be under construction.

“This shows what happens when we remove roadblocks and provide clear planning pathways.

“This project was enabled under our Transport Oriented Development planning controls. This is our Government’s planning reforms working together to deliver homes for families, young people and downsizers.

“We have seen housing proposals of this size and scale getting stuck in local planning systems for too long, this project was assessed and approved in seven months, less than our expected assessment timeframe of nine months.”

An independent review has identified no issues with the integrity of the Housing Delivery Authority’s (HDA) statutory decision-making processes.

The review, by eminent former public servant Peter Duncan AM, was commissioned at my request after the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure identified use of unauthorised software in collating information into reports for the HDA.

The Duncan Review found the likelihood of risk or integrity errors from the use of the software was low, concluding:

It is not apparent that the Software used has been more effective than other authorised software available for use within the Department or available elsewhere in the NSW Government. In fact, external Cyber Security specialist advisors reviewed and identified that the software was used as an administrative assistance tool. It appears to have been used to input information from the EOI application and various other inputs from Departmental or public database(s) into a template. This template was included in the Reports provided to HDA members prior to a HDA meeting. The Reports also included a range of other information drafted by planning professionals in the Department.

The Duncan Review makes four recommendations which I have accepted in full, including to:

• Reinforce the NSW Government and Department’s policies on the use of artificial intelligence within the HDA and Department.
• Consider using authorised software to support the work of the HDA.
• Review all unsuccessful EOI reports prepared with support from the software to confirm there are no errors.
• Undertake a previously planned review of the HDA’s first 12 months of operations with a view to making continuous improvement.

The independent review shows the integrity of the HDA and its statutory decision-making processes has not been compromised. All necessary steps will be taken to support the continued function of the HDA.

The NSW Parliament passed legislation in November that provides the HDA with an enduring role in supporting the delivery of housing in NSW. The permanent establishment of the HDA was part of the first proclamation of the Planning System Reforms Act on 15 December 2025.

The detailed recommendations and full report can be downloaded here (PDF 641.19KB).

The Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 has passed the Parliament with the support of the NSW Liberal Party.

The NSW Liberals supported the passage of this Bill because community safety must always come first, and the Parliament has a responsibility to act in the wake of such a serious and confronting terrorist attack.

However, we should be clear-eyed about the core issue at stake. Antisemitism was the reason for this attack, and the people of New South Wales rightly expect strong and decisive action to confront and eliminate it.

This Bill was rushed through the Parliament with limited consultation and insufficient engagement with stakeholders. That is not best-practice law-making, particularly in an area as sensitive and consequential as counter-terrorism and social cohesion.

The NSW Liberals have been clear and consistent, confronting rising antisemitism and hate speech must remain a priority of the NSW Parliament. This is why we sought to strengthen the Government’s Bill by reintroducing measurers that we have prosecuted throughout the year. Unfortunately, the Government once again rejected our bipartisan efforts.

We expect the Government to use the next parliamentary sittings to pursue further reforms and encourage the Government to engage in good faith with the Opposition and the Parliament to strengthen these laws where required. We will have more to say over the coming weeks and months on our plan to deliver a stronger and safer NSW.

Our determination is to ensure that NSW has a framework that confronts and defeats antisemitism, hate speech and extremist violence.