Labor drops racial vilification law and separates hate speech from gun control after Bondi massacre backlash.

Labor has scrapped a controversial racial vilification offence and separated hate speech laws from gun control measures, following public backlash and political pressure after the Bondi massacre. The changes aim to rebuild public trust by addressing concerns over overreach and the conflation of distinct policy issues, while maintaining efforts to combat hate and violence. The revised approach focuses on targeted, clearer hate speech provisions, with further consultation expected before reintroduction.