Australian PM Unveils Urgent Gun Buyback Plan After Bondi Attack

UPDATE: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has just proposed a national gun buyback program aimed at removing illegal and newly banned firearms following the horrific shooting at Bondi Beach that left 15 dead and 40 injured. This urgent initiative comes in response to one of the deadliest shootings in Australia’s history, marking a critical moment in the nation’s gun control efforts.

During a press conference in Canberra, Albanese stated, “The terrible events at Bondi show we need to get more guns off our streets.” The proposal is intended to address the overwhelming presence of firearms in Australia, which now totals 4 million, surpassing numbers prior to the Port Arthur massacre in 1996.

The shooting occurred on December 14, 2025, when a father-son duo opened fire on crowds at Bondi Beach, targeting Sydney’s Jewish community. The father, aged 50, was shot dead by police, while the 24-year-old son has been charged with 15 counts of murder and other serious offenses related to the incident, reportedly motivated by Islamic State ideology.

Albanese has declared December 21 a Day of Reflection in honor of the victims, urging all Australians to light a candle and observe a minute of silence at 6:47 PM, exactly one week after the attack. “This day is about standing with the Jewish community,” he emphasized, as flags across New South Wales and Australian government buildings will be flown at half-mast.

The proposed gun buyback program is to be funded equally by the federal government and state governments, with expectations to collect and destroy hundreds of thousands of firearms through the scheme. “Gun laws are only as strong as the weakest state,” Albanese remarked, highlighting the need for consistent national regulations.

The government aims to finalize agreements with states and territories by March and implement the new reforms by July 1. This buyback initiative draws parallels to the successful program following the Port Arthur massacre, which saw over 640,000 firearms surrendered within a year.

In tandem with the buyback proposal, Albanese announced a crackdown on hate speech, intending to create stricter penalties for those promoting violence, particularly targeting religious leaders. This multifaceted approach aims to reinforce community safety and prevent future tragedies.

The urgency of these measures is felt across Australia as the nation grapples with the aftermath of the Bondi Beach attack. Reports indicate that the father held a valid gun license and owned multiple firearms, raising serious questions about gun ownership regulations. “There’s no reason why someone in that situation needed that many guns,” Albanese stated, calling for immediate action to prevent such incidents in the future.

As the nation mourns, all eyes are on the government’s next steps in addressing gun control and community safety. This developing story will continue to evolve, and citizens are urged to participate in the Day of Reflection, standing in solidarity with the victims and their families.