The Summary Offences (Amendment) Bill 2025, which governs the use of fireworks, was unanimously passed in the Lower House on Tuesday with 38 votes for, no votes against, and no abstentions.
Attorney General John Jeremie, who moved the motion in the Senate on Wednesday, explained that fireworks can only be discharged on certain days, and users must be granted a permit issued by the Commissioner of Police.
“Specified days, public holidays, New Year’s Eve. That being said, there are specific windows of time in which fireworks can be discharged even on those days. For public holidays: between 8 and 9. On the 31st December, from 11:30 to 12:30 on the first of January. We think that that provision strikes a balance. It preserves the interest of those who wish to use fireworks still with the overriding concern that we should use fireworks responsibly.”
The Bill was also approved in the Upper House, with 30 Senators voting in favour. It will now be sent to the President for assent, after which it will become law.