New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has stated that the decision on when to use newly enacted powers to prohibit protests lies with the state's police commissioner. However, Mr Minns emphasised his desire for the controversial new laws to be activated swiftly in the aftermath of the recent Bondi beach terror attack.
New Laws and Firearms Restrictions Take Effect
The legislative changes, which include some firearms restrictions, officially came into force across New South Wales after being passed through parliament. The premier made his comments during a press conference in Sydney on Wednesday, where he was accompanied by the NSW attorney general, Michael Daley, and the police minister, Yasmin Catley.
This move occurs against a backdrop of heightened community tension. Reports indicate that one Sydney mosque has received dozens of offensive phone calls following the Bondi incident, part of a wider surge in threats and hate speech directed at Muslim Australians.
National Response and Honours
At a federal level, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the creation of a special honours list. This list is intended to formally recognise the bravery of individuals who assisted during the terror attack response. In a separate action, the Albanese government has cancelled the visa of a British national who was charged with displaying prohibited Nazi symbols.
This edition of the news roundup also highlighted several other national and international stories, including the Christmas Day weather forecast, a major acquisition of the Great Barrier Reef's Hamilton Island, and the latest developments in the ongoing release of documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Global News in Brief
Other notable items include updates on the war in Ukraine, rare footage from a Chinese general's trial, and a feature on Christchurch's recovery in New Zealand. In visual news, climate activist Greta Thunberg was reportedly detained by police in London during a rally supporting Palestine Action protesters on hunger strike.
The US Department of Justice confirmed that a disturbing letter appearing to be from Jeffrey Epstein to convicted sex abuser Larry Nassar is not genuine. The latest document releases also contained references to former US President Donald Trump and Britain's former Prince Andrew.
