National Cabinet Agrees to Sweeping Overhaul of Australia’s Gun Laws in Response to Bondi Massacre |
Federal, state, and territory governments have agreed to the biggest overhaul of Australia’s gun laws since the Howard government’s post-Port Arthur reforms, in a response to the Bondi massacre that has claimed the lives of 15 victims so far and one of the perpetrators.
After a late afternoon meeting of the national Cabinet on December 15, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the leaders had commissioned police ministers and attorneys-general to develop options for extensive changes. These include:
Albanese said, in a statement after the Cabinet meeting, that leaders had agreed “strong, decisive and focused action was needed on gun law reform as an immediate action.”
This included “renegotiating the National Firearms Agreement, first established after the 1996 Port Arthur tragedy, to ensure it remains as robust as possible in today’s changing security environment.”
As an immediate priority, the federal government will prepare further customs restrictions for the import of firearms and other weapons. This will include 3D printing, novel technology, and firearms equipment that can hold large amounts of ammunition.
Before the national Cabinet meeting Albanese said, “People’s circumstances change, people can be radicalized over a period of time. Licenses should not be in perpetuity.”
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns earlier flagged that NSW was looking to make changes to its gun laws.
“We need to make sure the firearms legislation in New South Wales is fit for purpose.........