The Australian government has unveiled a major national gun buyback initiative in response to the recent Bondi Beach terror attack, marking the first such program since the landmark reforms introduced after the Port Arthur massacre. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the move reflects the scale of the tragedy and the need for renewed action on firearm safety.

Biggest Buyback Since Port Arthur

Albanese said the new scheme will result in the collection and destruction of hundreds of thousands of weapons, making it the most significant gun buyback in nearly three decades. The costs will be shared between the federal government and the states, with state and territory authorities collecting surrendered firearms and the Australian Federal Police overseeing their destruction.

The prime minister stressed that the initiative is designed to reduce the number of weapons in circulation and prevent future attacks.

Stricter Gun Laws Across States

Alongside the buyback, New South Wales announced a package of new gun control measures, including a cap of four firearms for most recreational shooters. More broadly, state and federal leaders are expected to agree through the national cabinet on tighter licensing standards, including limiting gun licences to Australian citizens, improving background checks, restricting licence durations and imposing stricter limits on the number of firearms individuals can own.

A long-delayed national firearms register, first recommended after the Port Arthur massacre, is also being fast-tracked, though officials say it is unlikely to be operational before 2027.

Bondi Attack and National Reflection

Albanese designated Sunday as a national day of reflection to honour the 15 victims of the Bondi Beach attack. He also confirmed intelligence findings indicating that the attackers had used a standard online video game feed associated with the ISIS.

Responding to questions about potential intelligence failures, the prime minister said there was no information to suggest that improved data sharing would have prevented the attack.

Rising Gun Numbers

Australia currently has more than four million legally owned firearms, an increase of over 25% since the sweeping gun law reforms introduced in 1996 after 35 people were killed in Port Arthur.

Albanese said one of the attackers legally held a firearm licence and owned six guns while living in a densely populated Sydney suburb, arguing that such access highlighted the need for tighter controls.