Australian PM Launches Urgent Gun Buyback Plan After Bondi Attack

UPDATE: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has just announced a groundbreaking national gun buyback program aimed at removing illegal firearms from the streets, following the devastating Bondi Beach shooting that left 15 people dead and 40 injured. During a press conference in Canberra, Albanese declared, “The terrible events at Bondi show we need to get more guns off our streets.”

The shooting, which occurred on December 14, 2025, marked the deadliest attack in Australia’s history, second only to the infamous Port Arthur massacre of 1996. In this latest tragedy, a father-son duo opened fire on crowds gathered at the iconic beach, targeting Sydney’s Jewish community. The 50-year-old father was shot dead by police on-site, while his 24-year-old son, currently hospitalized with serious injuries, faces 15 counts of murder and related charges. Authorities report the pair were motivated by Islamic State ideology.

In the wake of this attack, Albanese announced that December 21 will be recognized as a Day of Reflection, inviting Australians to honor the victims by lighting a candle and observing a minute of silence at 6:47 PM. “We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community,” he affirmed.

The proposed buyback scheme aims to collect and destroy hundreds of thousands of firearms, funded equally by the federal government and the states. Albanese emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating there are currently 4 million firearms in Australia, exceeding numbers at the time of the Port Arthur massacre. “There’s no reason why someone in that situation needed that many guns,” he stated, referencing the father’s possession of six firearms despite having a license.

The legislation for this national buyback initiative is expected to be finalized by March and implemented by July 1. Albanese’s office noted, “Gun laws are only as strong as the weakest state,” highlighting the need for consistent national regulations to ensure effectiveness.

The earlier buyback program following the Port Arthur massacre successfully removed over 640,000 firearms from circulation. Currently, Australia maintains a permanent national firearms amnesty program, which has seen 40,936 firearms surrendered between July 2021 and June 2024.

As part of a broader response to violence, Albanese also proposed stricter hate speech laws, targeting those who promote violence through rhetoric. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing gun violence and enhancing community safety.

This urgent announcement comes as the nation grapples with the aftermath of the Bondi Beach tragedy. Albanese’s call for unity and reflection serves as a reminder of the need for decisive action to prevent further loss of life.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as Australia navigates this critical moment in its history.