How I voted on the Gun and Hate Speech Laws

I’ve recently returned from Parliament which was recalled early to respond to the horrific terror attack at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025. This was one of the most shocking acts of violence in Australia’s history and a vile act of targeted antisemitism. Our country has a responsibility to reduce the risk of anything like this ever happening again and I thank everyone who wrote to me for their deep consideration of this very important issue. Everyone in our country has a right to live without the fear of prejudice and violence.
 
In the end, two bills were put to a vote: one strengthening gun laws, and the other criminalising hate speech and hate groups.

I want to keep you informed about how I voted, the amendments I proposed, and why.

Gun Laws

I voted in favour of stronger gun laws including more comprehensive assessment of applications by our intelligence agencies, and I am proud to have led successful calls to establish a National Firearms Safety Council. This will ensure our gun laws remain fit for purpose and based on evidence and public health principles.

"With the leadership of Dr Sophie Scamps in the House of Representatives, and the Greens in the Senate, the Government has agreed to establish a National Firearms Safety Council.

This is a critical safeguard for public safety: providing independent, expert oversight to keep our firearms laws strong" - Gun Control Australia.

Hate Speech Laws

The process of developing and introducing these laws was deeply flawed and rushed, and therefore vulnerable to unforeseen harms and consequences – including undermining legitimate freedom of expression and political debate. Many concerns were raised by groups such as the Australian Human Rights Commission which were not addressed.

To be clear, I absolutely agree that we must respond to rising antisemitism and hateful speech targeting any group and inciting violence, but I could not in good faith support this rushed bill when the likelihood of unintended consequences was so high.

My red line was the Government’s refusal to commit to a full review of these laws following the Royal Commission findings. I also introduced an amendment to prevent people being imprisoned for up to 15 years for mere association, without intent or involvement, in a hate crime. That amendment was rejected without consideration.

For these reasons, I could not support the Hate Speech Bill and abstained from voting on it.

Thank you to everyone who wrote to me with your views and concerns on these bills. Your feedback was incredibly important in shaping the positions I made in Canberra.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Sophie