Australia has announced its largest gun buyback scheme since 1996 following a deadly terror attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney. The attack, which took place during a Hanukkah gathering, killed 15 people and injured many others, shocking the nation.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government would take strong action to reduce gun violence and prevent such tragedies in the future. The buyback scheme will allow people to hand over unwanted, illegal, or newly banned firearms in return for compensation. The weapons collected will be destroyed.
The federal government will work with state and territory governments, sharing the cost of the program equally. Authorities said Australia now has more than four million guns, which is higher than the number at the time of the Port Arthur massacre in 1996 — the event that led to strict national gun laws.
The Bondi attack has been declared a terrorist act, and investigators said one of the attackers legally owned several firearms. This has raised concerns about gaps in gun ownership rules.
Along with the buyback, the government plans to introduce tougher gun control measures, including stricter licensing checks, limits on how many guns a person can own, and faster implementation of a national firearms register. Some states, including New South Wales, are also considering tighter local laws.
Public memorials and tributes have been held across the country to honour the victims. The Prime Minister urged political parties to support the reforms, saying public safety must come first.
The government said the steps are necessary to protect communities while still respecting legitimate gun ownership, and stressed that decisive action is needed in the wake of the tragedy.
