Anthony Albanese recalls parliament early as PM reveals huge changes in wake of Bondi Beach attack
The Prime Minister has confirmed Parliament will be recalled - as he moves to push new laws in the wake the Bondi Beach terror attack.
- Parliament to sit on Monday
- New anti-terror and hate speech laws to be debated
- READ MORE: Albanese's government set to slash the cost of weight-loss drug
By NICHOLAS COMINO, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA
Published: 03:57 GMT, 12 January 2026 | Updated: 04:41 GMT, 12 January 2026
Federal Parliament will be recalled early next week as the government moves to pass sweeping new national-security laws in response to the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday confirmed he will order both the House of Representatives and the Senate to return on January 19 and 20 to deal with new legislation.
The emergency sitting will begin with a condolence motion honouring the victims of the antisemitic attack, paying tribute to those killed, those injured, and the families whose lives have been forever changed.
In a display of unity, the government and Opposition have already agreed on the wording.
After tributes, Parliament will turn immediately to the centrepiece of the government's response: the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026.
Drafted in the immediate aftermath of the Bondi Beach attack, the bill will be introduced on Monday, debated on Tuesday, and then fast-tracked to the Senate.
The bill marks one of the most far‑reaching crackdowns on extremism in years.
It introduces tough new offences aimed at hate preachers and extremist leaders who attempt to radicalise children.
Anthony Albanese (pictured) confirmed Parliament would return on Monday January 19
Penalties for hate‑crime offences will be significantly increased, and courts will be required to take extremist motivation into account during sentencing.
The government is also creating a new offence for inciting hatred with the intention to intimidate or harass, while expanding the ban on prohibited extremist symbols.
'We want to ensure that Australia remains a society where everyone has the right to be proud of who they are and we also want to make it clear that conduct which is hateful, dangerous, and divisive will also be illegal,' Albanese said to reporters in Canberra on Monday.
'Just as antisemitism and racism are an offence against our Australian values, they should be an offence against Australian law.'
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke will gain stronger powers to cancel or refuse visas for individuals who attempt to enter Australia to spread hatred.