Call for transparency as NSW parliament prepares for historic debate

Greater transparency is being demanded of politicians voting on gun reforms as the government prepares to introduce wide-ranging changes to firearms, protests and hate speech laws in one bill.

The Liberal Party is broadly expected to support the government bill, but it will seek to introduce its own stricter measures on antisemitism, either by a fresh bill or amendments. Nationals MPs have signalled concerns over the impact of gun reform on farmers and regional communities, while Premier Chris Minns may face pushback in his own party over protest reforms.

The Centre for Public Integrity on Sunday wrote to all NSW MPs asking them to divulge any recent meetings with lobbyists working on behalf of gun interest groups ahead of Monday’s debate, so the public can be sure parliamentarians are acting in the public interest.

“A voluntary disclosure commitment would demonstrate leadership, integrity and respect for the gravity of this moment,” wrote the centre’s chair, Anthony Whealy, KC. “It would reassure the community that debate on these reforms is informed by evidence and public safety priorities – not by behind-the-scenes pressure from vested interests.”

This masthead does not suggest that MPs have been unduly influenced, only that a call for transparency has been made. Only ministers are required to disclose their diaries, the latest disclosures covering up to September this year.

Parliament will on Monday debate what Minns has described as the toughest firearms law in the country, which would include limiting the number of guns an individual can own to four, or 10 for exempted individuals such as farmers.

The government will also introduce legislation to ban protests after a terror declaration has been made by police, which can be extended by up to three months. The government will move to ban the public display of symbols associated with terrorist organisations too, including al-Qaeda, Al-Shabab, Hamas, Boko Haram, Hezbollah, Islamic State, on top of existing laws covering Nazi symbols.

The gun reforms, changes to protest laws and crackdown on hate symbols will be introduced to parliament in a single bill – an issue for the Greens, who support the government’s gun reforms but are opposed to restrictions on protests.

The Nationals have publicly backed the protest reforms, but many MPs hold concerns about the impact of some of the proposed changes on farmers, particularly the limit on gun ownership.

“At the end of the day, this is actually attacking law-abiding citizens in this state,” Nationals MP and opposition police spokesman Paul Toole told Sky.

NSW Farmers blasted the gun reforms as “unworkable” for their members, accusing the government of “misleading” farmers.

President Xavier Martin said the government had not consulted adequately with farmers, who are concerned that a cap of 10 firearms could create issues for those with several properties who may need to transport guns between them.

“It’s incredible this government has allowed generous capping exemptions for recreational shooters but for farmers who need firearms to control pests, minimise biosecurity risks and for the humane management of animals, the government hasn’t given us a second’s thought,” Martin said.

MPs in both houses of parliament could move a motion to split the bills into two or more parts to have each category of reform dealt with separately, which would require majority support.

The Coalition is expected to come to a formal position after a joint party meeting on Monday morning, just hours before the bill is introduced. Last week, Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane said the Liberals would reintroduce previously defeated reforms to make protesters pay police after three demonstrations on the same issue.

Sources not authorised to speak publicly said the party would seek to ensure the focus of debate was on measures to combat antisemitism, rather than squarely on gun reform.

The Labor Friends of Palestine released a statement on Sunday urging the government to reconsider the protest element of the bill. Members of Minns’ cabinet, including ministers Jihad Dib and Penny Sharpe, attended the Harbour Bridge pro-Palestine march earlier this year.

While the protest reforms will probably have the support of the majority of the Labor caucus, party sources not authorised to speak publicly indicated that several MPs have reservations about the crackdown.

Labor is also expected to face questions during the bill’s debate on what it will do with a nearly $8 million budget allocation for a Conservation Hunting Authority, which is yet to be created and will only exist if a controversial bill from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party passes.

Gun reform advocates have warned that the bill would create too many freedoms for hunters, including by opening up more public land for hunting.

Despite budgeting for the authority, Minns said on Friday that the hunting bill will not pass.

“We’ve got to work out what to do with the $7.9 million,” he said.

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