Majority of Australians support stricter hate speech and immigration laws following Bondi Beach terror attack, poll finds

The shockwaves of the terrorist attack on Bondi Beach on 14 December are reshaping Australia’s political debate; Pressure is mounting for the Albanian government to act quickly in the face of growing public fear and anger, as a new national poll reveals overwhelming public support for tougher hate speech laws, tougher immigration screening and tougher penalties for those inciting anti-Semitic violence.

Almost half or more of Australians say change is needed, according to The Sydney Morning Herald’s latest Resolve poll.

Bondi terrorist attack

On December 14, 2025, a terrorist attack targeting the Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach left 15 people dead and nearly 40 injured. Two gunmen opened fire from a nearby footbridge and improvised explosive devices were found but could not be detonated.
The attack was motivated by anti-Semitism and was linked to the Islamic State ideology.

76 percent of respondents supported stricter immigration screening to detect anti-Semitic or extremist views, 70 percent supported tougher hate speech laws, and 67 percent supported harsher penalties for people who incite violence against the Jewish community.

Support for the federal royal commission is significant; 48 percent of those surveyed supported a national investigation into the Bondi attack, while 34 percent were undecided. The opposition, joined by two Labor MPs, argued that the state-based royal commission currently in place did not have the same scope or scope, while Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said earlier this week: “We have work to do to honor the dead.”
According to the 9News website, the Rabbinical Association called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to establish a federal royal commission, citing widespread fear and anger within the Jewish community, but the prime minister rejected the call, pointing to the ongoing state royal commission, ministerial review and police investigation.

“What we need to do is work as soon as possible,” he said.

“The idea that we would have multiple royal commissions as well as a review running simultaneously would delay action.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has outlined a wide-ranging package of reforms, including tougher hate speech laws, a landmark arms buyback plan and a new offense banning the radicalization of children, as well as giving the home secretary increased powers to cancel or refuse visas to people suspected of inciting violence, making hate speech, having links to terrorist organizations or displaying hate symbols.

He is expected to recall parliament in January to take swift action on introducing new hate speech and gun laws.