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Historic Legislation Passes House of Representatives
Australia's House of Representatives has approved sweeping gun control legislation in response to the deadly Bondi Beach terrorist attack that claimed 15 lives last December. The legislation, which passed with a 96-45 vote, represents the most significant firearms reform since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre and includes a national gun buyback program that could become the largest in Australian history.
Key Provisions of the New Laws
The legislation introduces several critical measures aimed at reducing Australia's estimated 4.1 million firearms in circulation. The centerpiece is a national gun buyback scheme that will allow the government to purchase surplus, banned, and illegal firearms from citizens. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating: 'With over four million firearms in circulation across Australia, the current situation is simply unsustainable. This legislation addresses both the motivation and the method behind attacks like Bondi.'
Additional measures include stricter background checks for firearm license applicants using intelligence agency data, limits on individual firearm ownership, clearer legal classifications for firearms, and citizenship requirements for license holders. The legislation also establishes improved information sharing between law enforcement and intelligence agencies regarding gun license applications.
Historical Context and Political Response
The Bondi Beach attack on December 14, 2025, where two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration, killing 15 people including a 10-year-old child, has been described as Australia's worst mass shooting in decades. The attack, which authorities say was inspired by the Islamic State terrorist group, prompted immediate calls for action from across the political spectrum.
The new legislation follows the precedent set by Australia's response to the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, where 35 people were killed. That tragedy led to the National Firearms Agreement and a buyback program that collected approximately 650,000 firearms. Minister Burke noted the historical significance: 'Just as Port Arthur changed our nation's approach to firearms in 1996, Bondi demands we take the next necessary steps in 2026.'
The legislation faced opposition from conservative lawmakers who argued it showed contempt for law-abiding gun owners. However, it received support from the Greens party and passed with a clear majority. A separate hate speech bill, which increases penalties for hate crimes and allows visa cancellations for hate speech, also passed with broad support (116-7).
Next Steps and Implementation
The legislation now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to pass with majority support. If approved, the federal government will work with state and territory governments to implement the buyback program, with costs shared between federal and state authorities. States will handle collection and payment processes, while the Australian Federal Police will be responsible for destroying surrendered weapons.
The government aims to have the new laws fully implemented by July 1, 2026, with states expected to enact supporting legislation by March. The buyback program is projected to collect hundreds of thousands of firearms, potentially surpassing the 1996 program's collection of 650,000 weapons.
Minister Burke expressed confidence that the new measures would have prevented the Bondi attackers from legally obtaining firearms. 'These reforms create multiple barriers that would have stopped the Bondi attackers from accessing the weapons they used,' he stated in a recent interview with ABC Radio National.
Australia's approach to gun control has been studied internationally since the successful reforms following Port Arthur. According to Wikipedia, those reforms established heavy restrictions on automatic and semi-automatic weapons and created a national gun registry. The current legislation represents the next evolution in Australia's ongoing effort to balance public safety with responsible firearm ownership.
