Australia's capital to join gun buyback in response to Bondi Beach attack

Australia’s capital city, Canberra, will participate in a nationwide gun buyback program following the deadly shooting at Bondi Beach during a Jewish festival in Sydney earlier this year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Saturday. The initiative marks a significant expansion of efforts to reduce gun violence in the country, with the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) joining the existing program launched by New South Wales (NSW) in response to the attack that left 15 dead and several injured. The announcement comes nearly four months after the incident, which occurred on December 14 at a Hanukkah celebration near Bondi Beach. The attackers, identified as a father and son, were reportedly inspired by the extremist group Islamic State. Both men were armed with legally acquired firearms, according to police statements. The surviving suspect has not entered pleas to multiple charges, including 15 counts of murder, and remains in custody awaiting trial. Albanese confirmed that the ACT government has agreed to implement a similar buyback scheme within its jurisdiction. This follows NSW becoming the first state to commit to the program, which was introduced in January under new legislation aimed at reducing gun violence. The NSW buyback is set to commence on November 2, while the ACT’s timeline has not been disclosed. Albanese praised the ACT government for its cooperation in the effort to remove weapons from public access. The nationwide gun buyback is part of broader measures introduced by Albanese’s government to address gun-related crime and hate-based violence. These include stricter licensing requirements and enhanced monitoring of individuals seeking firearm permits. The move reflects growing concerns over the accessibility of firearms in Australia, where the government estimates there were 4.1 million registered guns in the country last year. The Bondi Beach attack has reignited debates over gun control policies in Australia, with calls for further restrictions coming from both political leaders and advocacy groups. The attack was the deadliest mass shooting in the nation since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, in which 35 people were killed. That tragedy led to sweeping reforms, including a large-scale gun buyback program that removed hundreds of thousands of weapons from circulation. The current buyback program is expected to be the largest in Australia’s history, mirroring the scale of the post-Port Arthur initiative. However, unlike previous campaigns, this one includes additional provisions targeting hate crimes and extremist ideologies. The government has emphasized the need to prevent future attacks motivated by antisemitism or other forms of hatred. The ACT, home to the national capital Canberra, holds approximately 23,000 firearms, with over 7,000 licensed owners. Details regarding how the buyback will proceed in the territory remain unclear, though officials have indicated they are working closely with federal authorities to ensure consistency with the NSW program. The lack of specific timelines has raised questions among some residents about the immediate impact of the policy. Police have stated that the investigation into the Bondi Beach attack continues, focusing on the motives behind the perpetrators' actions and whether there were any links to larger networks or planning. While the attackers were found to have obtained their weapons through legal channels, the case has prompted renewed scrutiny of Australia’s firearm regulations and the effectiveness of existing controls. The government has not yet responded to requests for detailed information about the ACT buyback, including potential compensation for participants or the types of firearms eligible for purchase. As the program moves forward, it is anticipated that more specifics will emerge, particularly as the NSW phase begins in November. The success of the initiative could influence future gun control discussions across the country, especially in light of ongoing security threats and evolving patterns of criminal behavior.