The Albanese government’s hate crime laws proposed in response to the Bondi terror attack on December 14 have now passed the Senate, with support from the Liberals

The bill passed with 38 in favour and 22 against. The Nationals opposed the legislation after failing to secure support for a range of amendments, including referring the bill off a Senate inquiry that would report back in March.

Ahead of the final vote at 11pm, Nationals Leader David Littleproud issued a statement outlining why the Nationals were splitting with their Coalition partner on the bill, which includes new laws to criminalise hate groups and make it easier to cancel or refuse visas for people wanting to spread hate in Australia.

“The Nationals support the intent of the legislation, but we must get it right,” Littleproud said.

“The legislation needs amendments to guarantee greater protections against unintended consequences that limit the rights and freedom of speech of everyday Australians and the Jewish community.

“The Nationals will move amendments tonight in the Senate to provide these protections … If The Nationals’ amendments are not supported in the Senate, the Party will oppose the Bill.”

The Nationals leader insisted that the split in the Coalition did not reflect on the relationship within the Coalition.

In addition to the Nationals amendments, Labor and the Liberals also voted against amendments put forward by the Greens, One Nation and crossbench senators David Pocock, Jacqui Lambie, Fatima Payman and Tammy Tyrrell.

Earlier on the second day of a special two-day sitting of parliament to respond to the Bondi terror attack, the Greens supported a bill placing tighter restrictions on gun ownership and establishing a gun buyback scheme.

The Liberals agreed to back the government’s bill after they were able to secure several new safeguards to new laws cracking down on hate groups.

These included that any decision to outlaw a group must be supported by ASIO and the opposition leader must be briefed.

The bill states that an organisation can be outlawed in order to “protect the Australian community against social, economic, psychological and physical harm”.

Despite shadow cabinet approving the bill on Sunday night so long as Labor accepted the safeguards, which it did, Nationals senator Matt Canavan forced a reversal in his party.