What Did the Australian PM Announce Following the Bondi Beach Shooting?
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Synopsis
In the wake of a deadly mass shooting at Bondi Beach, Australian PM Anthony Albanese has announced a national firearm buyback scheme. This initiative aims to significantly reduce the number of guns in circulation, drawing parallels to past buyback efforts that followed major tragedies in Australia.
Key Takeaways
- Australian PM announces a national firearm buyback scheme.
- Initiative aims to reduce illegal firearms.
- Program follows Bondi Beach mass shooting.
- Authorities estimate the collection of hundreds of thousands of guns.
- State and federal agencies will collaborate on the buyback.
Canberra, Dec 19 (NationPress) In a significant move, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed on Friday the initiation of a national firearm buyback program aimed at curbing the prevalence of guns in society, following the tragic incident at Bondi Beach. During a press briefing in Canberra, Albanese announced that the federal government would implement a national buyback to acquire and eliminate excess, newly prohibited, and illegal firearms.
This initiative will resemble a buyback program that was implemented after the tragic Port Arthur shooting in Tasmania, which resulted in the loss of 35 lives in 1996.
The recent Bondi Beach shooting, which claimed the lives of 15 individuals on Sunday night, stands as Australia’s deadliest mass shooting since the 1996 incident, which triggered a comprehensive revision of the nation’s gun regulations.
Albanese further noted that there are more than 4 million firearms currently in Australia, a figure exceeding that present during the Port Arthur massacre.
The responsibility for the collection, processing, and payments related to the buyback will fall to Australia’s states and territories, while the Australian Federal Police will oversee the destruction of the surrendered weapons.
Albanese anticipates that “hundreds of thousands” of firearms will be retrieved and disposed of, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
In related news, Sajid Akram, one of the two gunmen involved in the Bondi Beach shooting that resulted in 16 fatalities, originally from Hyderabad, had minimal contact with his family after relocating to Australia in 1998, according to police reports.
The Director General of Police in Telangana, B. Shivdhar Reddy, stated that there are no adverse records against Akram during his time in India prior to his migration in 1998.
Investigations suggest that the factors contributing to the radicalization of Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed, are unrelated to India or any local influences in Telangana, as clarified by the DGP.
He urged the public and media to refrain from speculation or unfounded claims without verified information.
The Bondi Beach mass shooting, perpetrated by two individuals during a public Hanukkah celebration, resulted in the deaths of 15 victims, alongside one of the attackers.
The assailants have been identified as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, who authorities report appeared to be motivated by ISIS ideology. An ongoing investigation is being conducted by Australian officials.
Sajid Akram, who completed his B.Com degree in Hyderabad, moved to Australia in search of work around 27 years ago, in November 1998. He later married Venera Grosso, a woman of European descent, and they established their permanent residence in Australia, raising two children: Naveed and a daughter.
Point of View
The announcement of a firearm buyback scheme by Prime Minister Albanese represents a decisive step towards enhancing public safety in Australia. In light of the recent Bondi Beach tragedy, it is crucial to examine the potential effectiveness and public reception of such initiatives, as the nation grapples with the balance between individual rights and collective safety.
NationPress
19/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the firearm buyback scheme?
The buyback scheme aims to reduce the number of illegal and surplus firearms in the community to enhance public safety.
How will the buyback program be implemented?
The program will be managed by Australia's states and territories, with the Australian Federal Police responsible for the destruction of surrendered firearms.
What incident prompted this announcement?
The announcement came in response to a mass shooting at Bondi Beach, which resulted in multiple fatalities.
Who are the individuals involved in the Bondi Beach shooting?
The attackers have been identified as Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram, who reportedly were motivated by extremist ideology.
What historical event does this buyback resemble?
The current buyback scheme is similar to the one initiated after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, which led to major changes in Australia's gun laws.
