National cabinet has agreed to what could be the biggest firearm law reform since the 1996 Port Arthur Massacre.
Australia's gun laws will be overhauled in the wake of the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack after national cabinet pledged to strengthen firearm controls across the country.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this afternoon met with state and territory leaders to lay out the path forward after 15 innocent bystanders were killed and dozens more injured at a Hanukkah celebration yesterday.
Following the meeting, the PM confirmed the cabinet has agreed to tighten gun laws nationally, but specific reforms are yet to be confirmed.
LIVE UPDATES: Gunmen were father and son
Albanese outlined several options tabled by cabinet, including:
- Limiting the number of guns one person can own;
- Restricting gun licences to Australian citizens;
- Limiting open-ended firearms licencing and the types of guns that are legal, including modifications
- Accelerating work on standing up the National Firearms Register;
- And allowing extra use of criminal intelligence to underpin firearms licencing that can be used in administrative licencing regimes.
"Leaders agreed that strong, decisive and focused action was needed on gun law reform as an immediate action, including renegotiating the National Firearms Agreement," Albanese said in a statement.
Work on the reforms, which would be the biggest gun law shakeup since the 1996 Port Arthur Massacre, will be coordinated by NSW Premier Chris Minns and WA counterpart Roger Cook.
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He added the federal government will start working on extra restrictions on weapon importation.
A national firearms register was already in development and was expected to be implemented by 2028.
The idea was greenlit in December last year following the deadly police shooting at Wieambilla in 2022.
Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, are accused of carrying out the assault that has so far left 15 innocents dead, as well as the senior Akram.
Naveed Akram remains critically injured in hospital under police guard.
Speaking to the media well before the national cabinet meeting, Minns said his government would tighten gun laws in NSW, but asked for patience as they draft legislation.
"If you're not a farmer, if you're not involved in agriculture, why do you need these massive weapons that put the public in danger and make life dangerous and difficult for NSW Police?" he asked.
Minns said current laws, which grant firearms licenses in perpetuity, were "clearly not fit for purpose".
"We need to make sure the firearms legislation in NSW is fit for purpose," he said.
"That does mean restricting firearms for the general public, for the people of NSW, but not everybody needs these weapons of mass destruction.
"You don't need them on NSW streets."
Speaking alongside Minns, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed Sajid held a firearms licence since 2015.
The license allowed the elder Akram to use guns for recreational hunting, which Lanyon said he did as part of a gun club.
"He had a category A, B licence which entitled him to have the long arms that he had as registered firearms," he said.
Lanyon was questioned over the license approval process, following revelations the younger Akram has been known to ASIO since October 2019.
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"The firearms registry conducts a thorough examination of all applications to ensure a person is fit and proper to hold a firearms license," Lanyon said.
Asked whether firearms license applicants are investigated over their connections to individuals on authorities' radar, Lanyon said they "absolutely can" be.
"Depending on the nature of ... the association, depending on the nature of the intelligence that's there, they have to weigh up all of those things in accordance with the Firearms Act," Lanyon said.
"We do take into account all intelligence that's available."
Police raided homes in Bonnyrigg and Campsie overnight, and have seized the six firearms licensed to the alleged shooter.
Reports indicate a shotgun and bolt-action rifle were fired by the alleged gunmen.
Minns also signalled a "comprehensive" police response and policies to combat antisemitism would be to come.
If you have been impacted by the terror attack in Bondi there is support available. To contact Lifeline Australia, call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. For people under 25 years old, you can contact Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800. Both of these are available on a 24/7 basis. If you wish to donate blood, you can find your nearest donor centre here
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