Open letter from David Batt MP | Federal Member for Hinkler (January 22, 2026)
On this National Day of Mourning for the 15 victims of the Bondi terror attack, today should be about standing together with our Jewish Australian family.
Thank you for taking the time to contact my office regarding the Bills that were considered earlier this week in Parliament. In Canberra I sit with the National Party.
Together with my National Party colleagues I voted ‘no’ to Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws Bill 2026) and I abstained on Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws Bill 2026).
The Nationals decided to abstain from voting in the House of Representatives and move amendments in the Senate in a bid to provide protections against potential unintended consequences to the rights and freedoms of everyday Australians, people like yourself.
When these amendments were voted down, along with our party room direction the four National Senators voted against the Bill on the party’s behalf.
Labor’s rushed legislation has been a mess. They did not consult. They played politics and they over-reached.
I fully support the Nationals leader David Littleproud and the National Party Room decision that remaining in Coalition with the Liberal Party under the leadership of Sussan Ley has become untenable.
My office has prepared a timeline of events since the Bondi terror attack:
December 2025
The Coalition calls for Parliament to return because the Bondi terror attack was a moment that demanded serious action to keep Australians safe.
David Batt backs call for Royal Commission.
Thursday January 8
Prime Minister announces Royal Commission.
Monday January 12
Prime Minister announces that Federal Parliament will be recalled to consider hate speech and gun laws in the wake of the Bondi terror attack. The Coalition flags it is concerned the hate speech and gun reforms will be wrapped into the same piece of legislation. Hinkler electorate offices inundated with concerns regarding proposed laws.
Tuesday January 13
Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026 covering complex hate speech, gun law reform, customs offences and immigration laws is released to MP’s and public.
The original exposure draft was 144 pages long, with over 400 pages of explanatory notes. Bills like this are referred to as ‘Omnibus’ Bills.
Wednesday January 14
The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security begins three days of hearings trying to make sense of the Bill. Many expert groups decline to give evidence due to the short time frame to read it.
Coalition requests that the Bill be split in two, which the Prime Minister flatly refused.
Saturday January 17
After sustained pressure, the Prime Minister announced the Bill would be separated into two elements (after getting Greens support for gun reform). The racial vilification provisions would be dropped to speed up parliamentary approval.
Sunday January 18
The Coalition is advised the Prime Minister has offered to only move legislation that the Coalition was in agreeance with. Tabling of separate Bills was shifted to Tuesday.
MP’s and Senators arrive in Canberra.
Monday January 19
Parliament resumes for 2026. MP’s honour victims of Bondi terror attack.
David’s condolence speech.
Numerous Nationals Party Room meetings held to analyse legislation (despite constant changes).
Tuesday January 20
6.15am Final legislation received from the Prime Minister’s office:
Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws Bill 2026)
Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws Bill 2026).
9.30am The Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill is tabled in the House and the Albanese Government allocates only one hour and fifteen minutes to debate the gun law reforms.
David spoke in opposition to the Bill.
11:00am The Coalition voted against the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill.
However, the Bill was passed and sent to the Senate for debate. It was passed, without amendment, despite strong opposition from Coalition senators.
11.15am The second bill, Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026 is introduced into the House of Representatives. Only one hour and thirty minutes allocated for debate.
The Nationals decide to abstain from voting in the House of Representatives and move amendments in the Senate in a bid to provide protections for everyday Australians.
Later, in the Senate, it became clear the Nationals amendments were not going to be supported and the Nationals oppose the Bill.
Thursday January 22
Nationals leader David Littleproud announces the decision that remaining in the Coalition with the Liberal party under the leadership of Sussan Ley is untenable.
Opposing Labor’s poorly drafted hate laws was a principled decision of the Nationals Party Room, made in the national interest.
Yours sincerely
David Batt MP
Federal Member for Hinkler