Australia is preparing to introduce a sweeping nationwide gun buyback programme in response to the deadly mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Friday. The decision comes as the country continues to mourn the victims of what police have officially declared a terrorist attack, and as thousands of people gathered at Bondi to pay tribute to those who lost their lives.
The planned buyback scheme is expected to closely resemble the landmark firearms reforms introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania, where a lone gunman killed 35 people. That tragedy led Australia to adopt some of the strictest gun control laws in the world, including a nationwide buyback that removed hundreds of thousands of weapons from circulation.
Speaking at a press conference, Albanese said the events at Bondi Beach had exposed the need to once again strengthen gun control measures. He noted that Australia’s firearms laws were last significantly overhauled nearly three decades ago and argued that the recent attack showed the urgency of reducing the number of guns in the community.
The Bondi Beach attack took place on Sunday, December 14, when two gunmen opened fire on crowds celebrating Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. The attackers, later identified as a father and son, killed 15 people and injured dozens more in one of the deadliest acts of violence in Australia in recent decades. Authorities have classified the shooting as an act of terrorism, adding to the gravity of the incident.
One of the attackers, a 50-year-old man who was shot dead by police at the scene, was found to be a licensed gun owner who legally possessed six registered firearms. This revelation has intensified public and political scrutiny of Australia’s gun licensing and ownership system, raising questions about how such an attack could occur despite existing controls.
The prime minister said there are an estimated four million firearms currently in Australia. Under the proposed buyback, the government plans to target surplus weapons, firearms that have been newly banned, and illegal guns. The cost of the scheme will be shared between the federal government and state governments, reflecting a coordinated national response.
In addition to the buyback, Australia’s national cabinet has agreed on a new package of gun control measures. These include limits on the number of firearms an individual can own, tighter restrictions on open-ended gun licences, further reductions in the types of firearms that are legally permitted, and a new requirement that only Australian citizens be eligible to hold a firearms licence.
Police have charged the surviving attacker, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. His father, Sajid Akram, was killed during the shooting as police responded to the attack.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath, Bondi Beach became a focal point for remembrance and solidarity. On Friday morning, thousands of surfers, swimmers and paddleboarders entered the water and formed a large circular formation offshore. They observed a minute’s silence to honour those who were killed and injured in the attack. Drone footage showed an enormous ring of people floating quietly on the water, creating a powerful visual tribute.
Participants described the gathering as an emotional and unifying moment for the community. One surfer said it was deeply moving to see so many people come together in solidarity, reflecting the close-knit nature of the Bondi community.
Bondi Beach, one of Australia’s most iconic coastal destinations, is usually crowded with surfers, ocean swimmers and paddleboarders. On the evening of the attack, many surfers were already in the water when the shooting began, underscoring how abruptly the violence disrupted everyday life at the beach.
Authorities have gradually begun restoring normal activity in the area. Surf lifesavers are scheduled to resume regular patrols at Bondi from Saturday, according to national broadcaster ABC. Red and yellow flags, which mark supervised swimming areas, were raised again on Thursday for the first time since the shooting. Police have also reopened the nearby park and bridge where the attack occurred after completing forensic examinations.
On Friday, just a short distance from the site of the massacre, surfers and paddleboarders once again gathered offshore, symbolising resilience and unity. Leaders from Australia’s Jewish community described the paddle-out as an especially moving sight, noting that while such tributes are not uncommon, the sheer scale of this gathering made it unprecedented and deeply poignant.
