Australia Unveils Its Biggest Gun Buyback Since Port Arthur
Right now, Australia is seeing a major shift in its approach to gun control, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing what’s being described as the largest national gun buyback scheme since the landmark reforms of the Howard era. The announcement was made in Canberra and comes in the shadow of the horrific Bondi terror attack, which has reignited national debate about firearm access and public safety.
The prime minister made it clear that this new buyback is being modelled closely on the 1996 approach that followed the Port Arthur massacre. Back then, sweeping reforms reshaped Australia’s gun laws, and now a similar framework is being brought back to deal with modern challenges. Under the new plan, surplus firearms, newly banned weapons, and illegal guns will be targeted, with the aim of reducing the sheer number of firearms circulating in the community.
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It was explained that the federal government will introduce legislation to fund the scheme, with costs split evenly between the Commonwealth and the states and territories. While Canberra will help foot the bill, the practical work will be handled locally. State and territory governments will be responsible for collecting firearms, processing them, and compensating people who voluntarily hand over their weapons. This shared approach is being presented as a way to ensure consistency nationwide while allowing local authorities to manage the details.
One of the most striking points raised was just how many guns are now in Australia. According to the prime minister, there are more than four million firearms across the country, a figure that actually exceeds the number recorded at the time of the Port Arthur tragedy nearly three decades ago. That fact alone has raised alarm bells within government, especially given recent events.
The Bondi attack was repeatedly referenced as a clear warning sign. It was revealed that one of the terrorists held a valid firearm licence and owned six guns, despite living in a densely populated Sydney suburb. The prime minister argued that there was no reasonable justification for someone in that situation to possess so many weapons, and that existing safeguards had clearly failed.
In response, national cabinet has already agreed to examine tougher gun laws, including the possibility of restricting firearm licences to Australian citizens. Beyond legislative changes, symbolic steps are also being taken. A national day of reflection has been declared, flags will be flown at half-mast, and the government has committed to working closely with the Jewish community to organise a national day of mourning.
Overall, this buyback scheme is being framed not just as a policy response, but as a statement. The message being sent is that Australia intends to act decisively, once again, to prioritise safety and prevent future tragedies by reducing the number of guns in circulation.
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