Australia’s long-standing gun laws are set for fresh scrutiny after a deadly attack at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach shocked the nation.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday proposed tougher national gun rules following the mass shooting that left at least 15 people dead.
The unexpected tragedy unfolded during a family Hanukkah event, turning one of Australia’s most popular beaches into a crime scene.
Speaking to reporters, Albanese said new restrictions would be considered, including limits on how many firearms a licensed owner can possess.
“The government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary. Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws,” Albanese said.
He added, “People’s circumstances can change. People can be radicalized over a period of time. Licenses should not be in perpetuity.”
Authorities later confirmed that the older gunman, a 50-year-old father, legally owned six firearms and had held a license for a decade.
His 24-year-old son, who was also involved, was wounded and remains in hospital under police watch.
At least 38 people were still receiving medical treatment after the attack, including victims with critical injuries.
Those killed included a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi, and a Holocaust survivor, deepening national grief.
Albanese described the incident as antisemitic terrorism and said it struck at the heart of Australia’s values.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said proposed reforms would be presented to a national cabinet meeting with state leaders.
“Some laws are commonwealth and some laws are implemented by the states,” he said. “What we want to do is to make sure that we’re all completely on the same page.”
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns supported the move, saying gun licenses should never be permanent.
“It means introducing a bill to Parliament to — I mean to be really blunt — make it more difficult to get these horrifying weapons,” Minns said.
Australia’s gun laws were last significantly overhauled after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
However, the Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting has raised fresh concerns about radicalisation and license monitoring.
Jewish leaders also questioned whether warning signs were missed before the attack occurred.
“I think the federal government has made a number of missteps on antisemitism,” said Alex Ryvchin of the Australian Council of Executive Jewry.
He added that the government’s “paramount and fundamental duty” is citizen protection.
Police confirmed the father held a valid license for hunting and target shooting, not self-defense.
Albanese also revealed that the national intelligence agency had reviewed the son in 2019.
“He was examined on the basis of being associated with others,” Albanese said, adding no active threat was found then.
