By Jonathan Ferreira
Australia’s parliament has passed major gun law reforms and new anti hate legislation following last month’s deadly shooting at a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach. The laws were approved during a special late night sitting of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, after two attackers killed fifteen people. The gun reforms introduce a national buyback scheme along with tougher checks on firearm licence applications and stricter import controls. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the attackers would not have legally accessed firearms if the measures had been in place, calling the changes essential for public safety.
The legislation was brought forward after mounting pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, amid fears of rising antisemitism and concern that authorities had failed to prevent the attack. Lawmakers were recalled two weeks early to debate the bills. Burke said the violence was carried out by individuals driven by hate and access to weapons. Investigators allege the father in the father son pair legally owned six firearms, while the son had previously attracted attention from intelligence agencies. The buyback scheme will focus on surplus and newly restricted weapons, reducing the nation’s estimated four million registered guns.
The reforms mark the most significant changes to Australian gun laws since the nineteen ninety six Port Arthur massacre, which led to some of the strictest firearm controls in the world. Burke said many Australians would be shocked to learn there are now more guns than before that attack. The anti hate bill was supported by Labor and Liberal lawmakers, while the Greens voted against and the National Party abstained. The legislation will allow the banning of groups that promote hate and impose harsher penalties on those who incite violence. It will be reviewed every two years, with opposition parties consulted on decisions involving extremist organisations.
