Australian PM Unveils Urgent Gun Buyback Plan Post-Bondi Attack

UPDATE: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has just announced a swift national gun buyback program following the devastating shooting at Bondi Beach that left 15 dead and 40 injured. This urgent move aims to remove newly banned and illegal firearms from the streets of Australia, highlighting a critical shift in the country’s gun control policy.

During a press conference held in Canberra on December 19, 2025, Albanese stated, “The terrible events at Bondi show we need to get more guns off our streets.” This announcement comes in the aftermath of one of Australia’s deadliest mass shootings, where a father-son duo targeted crowds at the iconic beach on December 12. The attack is deemed the worst in the nation’s history, second only to the infamous Port Arthur massacre of 1996.

The proposal includes a Day of Reflection on December 21 to honor the victims, encouraging Australians to light candles and observe a minute of silence at 6:47 PM. This poignant moment aims to unite the nation in remembrance of those lost in the attack, which specifically targeted Sydney’s Jewish community.

The father, aged 50, was killed by police at the scene, while his 24-year-old son is currently hospitalized and facing 15 counts of murder along with other serious charges. Authorities reported that the duo was motivated by Islamic State ideology, raising significant concerns about domestic terrorism in Australia.

Albanese revealed that there are currently 4 million firearms in Australia, surpassing numbers present during the Port Arthur massacre. “There’s no reason why someone in that situation needed that many guns,” he asserted, emphasizing the need for stricter gun regulations.

The proposed buyback program will be funded equally by the federal government and state governments. Albanese expects the initiative to collect and destroy hundreds of thousands of firearms. He stated, “We will introduce this National Buyback Scheme to get guns off our streets and to assist in making all Australians safe.”

The federal government is aiming to have agreement from states and territories on this critical reform by March 2026, with hopes of legislating the changes by July 1, 2026. “Gun laws are only as strong as the weakest state,” the Prime Minister’s office noted, stressing the importance of national consistency in firearm regulations.

The last major buyback following the Port Arthur massacre saw over 640,000 firearms surrendered in just under a year. In addition to the buyback, Australia currently runs a permanent national firearms amnesty program, which has seen the surrender of over 40,000 firearms and weapons since July 2021.

Albanese’s announcement follows a proposal for a crackdown on hate speech, introducing new offenses and increasing penalties for those promoting violence. He declared the upcoming Day of Reflection as a vital step to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and to honor the lives lost in the Bondi Beach attack. All flags in New South Wales and federal buildings will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect.

The nation stands at a crucial juncture as these reforms are set to reshape Australia’s approach to gun control, aiming to prevent further tragedies like the one witnessed at Bondi Beach. Stay tuned for updates on the implementation and public response to these urgent measures.