ello (@piers)

Update: "The federal government has passed new laws targeting hate groups with support from the Liberals, while the Nationals voted against it. "The Coalition failed to settle a formal joint position on the legislation, with the Nationals abstaining during the vote in the lower house and later resolving to oppose the bill when it reached the Senate. Liberal senator #AlexAntic also crossed the floor, voting against the rest of his party. "PM Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley on Monday agreed on a set of changes to Labor's proposal to ban groups deemed to spread hate, such as Hizb ut-Tahrir and Neo-Nazis. "The Nationals moved several amendments in the Senate — including a push to set up a Senate inquiry examining the laws — but none succeed, and they voted against the bill. It is not clear what impact this would have on shadow cabinet solidarity, which requires all Coalition frontbenchers to vote in line with any formally resolved positions. "In a statement, Nationals leader David Littleproud said: 'This decision does not reflect on the relationship within the Coalition. "'The Coalition has secured significant improvements to the legislation, but the Nationals' party room has concluded that more time is required to more fully examine and test the bill before it is finalised,' he said. "Amendments secured by the Coalition aim to address concerns that the broad drafting of the bill could restrict freedom of speech. The updated bill, which passed through the lower house on Tuesday, now mentions 'the promotion of violence' in the definition of a hate group. "Ms Ley said the Liberals had 'stepped up to fix legislation that the Albanese government badly mishandled' and that the final agreement was 'narrowed, strengthened and properly focused on keeping Australians safe'. The Liberal and National party rooms did not hold a meeting to agree on a joint position, as per usual practice. "Labor's suite of gun reforms passed the Senate on Tuesday night with support from the Greens, further tightening Australia's strict gun controls and paving the way for a national gun buyback scheme. "[...] The operation of the laws would be subject to review every two years by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security. "The bill also proposes tougher powers for the home affairs minister to deport those who spread hate, which the Coalition has indicated support for." Tom Crowley, ABC #auspol https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-20/hate-laws-poised-to-pass-after-labor-liberal-deal/106248432