Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged to implement the most significant firearm buyback scheme in Australia since the post-Port Arthur reforms of the Howard era. This decisive move follows the devastating terror attack at Bondi beach, which claimed 15 lives, including that of Reuven Morrison, a 62-year-old member of Melbourne's Jewish community.
A National Push for Coherent Gun Laws
In the wake of the tragedy, federal and state leaders have agreed to pursue a substantial package of reforms. The planned measures include limiting the number and type of weapons an individual can own and a nationwide review of licensing rules. The federal government will also seek to strengthen controls on the importation of certain weapons, including components for 3D printing and high-capacity ammunition equipment.
A critical failure highlighted after Bondi is the decades-long absence of a reliable national firearm register. First proposed after the Hoddle Street shooting in 1987 and repeatedly recommended since, the project's progress has been glacial. Despite promises to accelerate its development this week, it is not expected to be operational until at least 2027.
Political Resistance and a Patchwork of Laws
The push for uniformity faces immediate political hurdles. The federal Coalition has shown reluctance to offer bipartisan support, with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley stating she would only consider "sensible and proportionate" options. Nationals leader David Littleproud argued the Bondi attack represented "an ideology problem, not a gun problem."
Furthermore, the prospect of a truly national approach is undermined by inconsistent state laws. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has expressed reservations about some reforms, while Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro appears unlikely to back major changes. Notably, the NT recently scrapped a mandatory 28-day waiting period for existing licence holders to acquire more firearms.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has already begun campaigning against the reforms, echoing the gun lobby's classic defence that "guns don't kill people, people kill people."
The Scale of the Challenge
The statistics reveal the magnitude of the task. Australia is now home to more than 4 million firearms, a 25% increase since the landmark Howard-era reforms. Approximately 2,000 new guns are entering the community lawfully each week. The new buyback scheme aims to replicate the success of the 1990s programme, which saw 650,000 weapons surrendered and destroyed.
For Prime Minister Albanese, confronting the gun lobby and navigating political opposition is a significant test of leadership. Much like John Howard, who famously wore a bullet-proof vest while advocating for change, Albanese is positioning himself to stare down opponents in the name of public safety.
The death of Reuven Morrison, who bravely confronted the attackers, has become a powerful symbol of the urgent need for action. As his community mourns, the government's pledge represents a concrete, if contested, step towards ensuring such a sacrifice was not in vain.
