The father of two young girls murdered in Australia's deadliest mass shooting has publicly endorsed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's new national firearm buyback initiative, asserting it will save lives despite a potential $1 billion cost to taxpayers.
A Legacy of Loss and Advocacy
Walter Mikac's daughters, six-year-old Alannah and three-year-old Madeline, along with his wife Nanette, were among the 35 people killed in the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. The tragedy shocked the world and catalysed Australia's strict gun law reforms. In its aftermath, Mr Mikac wrote to then-Prime Minister John Howard demanding stronger legislation, becoming one of the nation's most prominent advocates on the issue.
Following last Sunday's terrorist attack on Bondi Beach, Prime Minister Albanese announced plans to establish a new national gun buyback scheme, mirroring the one implemented by Howard after Port Arthur. Mr Mikac has now written to the Prime Minister, commending his 'national leadership' amid mounting political pressure for Albanese to resign.
The Call for Evolving Gun Laws
In his letter, Mikac stated: 'Your government's swift and decisive action to reduce the number of guns in the Australian community through a national buy-back scheme will help save lives.' He connected the recent violence to the enduring need for robust controls, adding: 'The horrific terror attack at Bondi Beach last Sunday is a devastating reminder that strong gun laws must evolve to address new risk - not be weakened or undermined. This attack was fuelled by hate, but guns allowed that hate to be weaponised as terror.'
He labelled the buyback an 'important community safety milestone' and paid tribute to the youngest Bondi victim, 10-year-old Matilda. 'My heart goes out to the many lives lost... I know all too well the heavy weight of grief and the pain of loss at the hands of violence and hate,' he wrote, vowing to continue advocacy so no other family endures such tragedy.
Scheme Details and Mounting Criticism
Prime Minister Albanese confirmed the scheme will target surplus, newly banned, and illegal firearms. While details are to be finalised, the Commonwealth will split the cost 50-50 with states and territories, who will manage collection and compensation. The Australian Federal Police will then destroy the firearms.
The announcement comes as Australia grapples with the fact there are now more than four million firearms in the country – exceeding the number at the time of the Port Arthur massacre nearly 30 years ago. The Bondi attacker, Sajid Akram, was licensed to own six firearms used in the assault, despite his alleged accomplice son having been investigated for terrorism links.
Amid growing criticism from the Jewish community over the government's response to the terrorist attack, Albanese attended a service at Sydney's Great Synagogue on Friday night. This followed controversy over his absence from victims' funerals, which Rabbi Mendel Super, whose brother was injured in the attack, called 'utterly shameful'.
States and territories have been given until March 2026 to agree to the new gun law reforms, with legislation to be passed by July 1. While estimated at $1 billion, some reports suggest the total cost of the buyback could be significantly higher.
