UPDATE: Coalition facing split over gun laws and hate speech divisions
The Federal Coalition is facing a split over the divisions over the handling of the post-Bondi hate speech and gun law reforms.
Nationals Deputy Leader Kevin Hogan posted the following statement last night:
Today as a matter of principle I have resigned from Sussan Ley’s Shadow Ministry. My Senate team of Senator Bridget McKenzie Senator Susan McDonald and Senator Ross Cadell – NSW Nationals were forced to resign for taking a principled party room position. My National Shadow Ministery colleagues have resigned as well.
I am a proud National. The rushed legislation could have untold impacts on free speech and this is not in the best interest of our country. I will always stand up for our country, even if the personal cost is great. It’s what people have asked me to do and what you deserve from your Nats team.
Principle should triumph over politics every time.
Kevin
Earlier story:
Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan has delivered one of the most heated speeches of his parliamentary career, accusing the federal government of using law-abiding gun owners as scapegoats following the Bondi terror attack.
Mr Hogan became visibly agitated in the House of Representatives on Tuesday as government MPs interjected during his defence of firearm owners and regional businesses.
Speaking during debate on proposed gun law changes, Mr Hogan said the response to the Bondi attack had been misdirected.
An excerpt from Kevin Hogan’s five minute speech
“As soon as that attack happened, the community of this whole country wanted the Prime Minister to call a Royal Commission.
“What people wanted to know was how widespread Islamic extremism is in this country, and how widespread antisemitism is in this country.”
Mr Hogan said those questions had not been addressed.
“He already had a report from the antisemitism commissioner that he appointed,” he said.
“Had he acted on any of those recommendations? None. He hadn’t acted on any of them.”
Instead, Mr Hogan said the government’s first response was to move against legal firearm owners.
“What was his first instinctive reaction?
“To clamp down on legal gun owners in this country.”
Mr Hogan said the commissioner’s report did not reference firearms.
“That report didn’t mention guns at all, yet the tragedy was used to justify gun law changes.”
He warned the proposed changes would have serious consequences for regional communities.
“These changes will affect farmers, sporting shooters, firearms collectors and small businesses.
“People are going to lose their livelihoods over this.”
Mr Hogan told parliament he had recently spoken with a gun shop owner in Grafton.
“Matt in my community is concerned his business will probably close.
“He knows he could lose his livelihood.”
Mr Hogan said amendments would be moved to ensure fair compensation.
“People must get a fair price for the guns being bought back and businesses that lose their livelihood must also be compensated.”
He said firearm owners were being unfairly blamed for an act of terrorism.
“We are not going to use law-abiding gun owners as the scapegoats for what was a terrible Islamic extremist attack in Bondi.”
Mr Hogan also rejected claims Australia’s gun laws were inadequate.
“We already have very tight gun laws in this country. There are inspections, fit-and-proper checks, and licences can be revoked.”
He concluded by saying the nation faced serious challenges that required a different focus.
“We have an Islamic extremist issue in this country. We have an antisemitic issue in this country.
“We need to make people feel safe, but we are not going to make gun owners the scapegoats.”
Mr Hogan’s remarks followed another impassioned parliamentary speech the previous evening, when he addressed the House during a condolence motion for the victims of the Bondi terror attack.
Final parliamentary vote
The government’s gun reform and hate crime legislation passed the House of Representatives last night after intense debate.
Seven MPs voted against the legislation, including two Nationals who crossed the floor and five independents.
In the House of Representatives, Colin Boyce, the Nationals MP for Flynn, and Llew O’Brien, the Nationals MP for Wide Bay, voted along with Bob Katter, Andrew Wilkie, Dai Le, Rebekha Sharkie and Barnaby Joyce.
Other Coalition members, including the Nationals party room, abstained from voting.
The legislation then passed the Senate last night, despite opposition from Nationals senators Bridget McKenzie, Ross Cadell and Susan McDonald.
Earlier story:
Australia has changed forever, Kevin Hogan tells Parliament
https://ballinanewsdaily.com.au/2026/01/australia-has-changed-forever-kevin-hogan-tells-parliament/
Well said Kevin keep telling the truth
Keep the bustards honest