Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened a National Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, where state leaders agreed to strengthen gun laws across the nation. Photo / Getty Images
The National Cabinet has agreed to urgent gun law reform for the first time since the Port Arthur massacre, after Sunday’s terror attack at Bondi Beach.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened a National Cabinet meeting on Tuesday where state leaders agreed to strengthen gun laws across the nation.
Police ministers and attorneys-general will be commissioned to develop options to limit the number of firearms that can be held by any one individual.
States will also consider limiting open-ended firearm licences, banning gun types and banning non-citizens from obtaining a gun licence.
Premiers Chris Minns and Roger Cook will lead the work across Australia’s state and territories.
The federal Government will also start work on restricting the importation of firearms and weapon types including 3D printing, novel technology and firearm equipment that can hold large amounts of ammunition.
First Ministers have also reiterated their commitment to the Permanent National Firearms Amnesty to reduce the number of unregistered firearms in the community.
NSW Premier Chris Minns, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett, and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation’s Director-General Security Mike Burgess also briefed the meeting on the latest police intelligence and actions in relation to the incident.
“Leaders agreed that yesterday’s horrific anti-Semitic terrorist attack has no place in Australia and that the evil scourge of anti-Semitism must be eradicated,” a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s office states.
The major reform comes after a father and son allegedly killed 15 people and injured 40 in a terrorist attack on Bondi Beach.
Father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram have been identified as the alleged gunmen behind the massacre that unfolded on Sunday evening at the iconic beach.
Sajid, 50, was shot dead by police at the scene.
Naveed, 24, was taken to hospital under police guard where he remains in a critical but stable condition.
The pair allegedly killed 15 innocent people, including a 10-year-old girl, and injured at least 40 at the Chanukah by the Sea event.
The massacre has been declared a terror attack.
Police have revealed Sajid held a gun licence for about 10 years and possessed about six firearms by the time of the shooting.
“The father has held a firearms licence since 2015. We are very much working through the background of both persons at this stage,” NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said at a press conference on Monday.
“We know very little about them.”
Albanese said he was open to toughening gun laws after the massacre.
The matter will be put on the national cabinet’s agenda on Monday afternoon.
“Quite clearly, the Howard government’s gun laws have made an enormous difference in Australia, and a proud moment of reform, quite rightly, achieved across the parliament with bipartisan support,” Albanese said.
“If we need to toughen these up, if there’s anything that we can do, I’m certainly up for it. And I hope to get national cabinet on board for that ... as well.”
Limits on the number of guns people can possess, and a review of licences are anticipated to be put on the agenda.
“People’s circumstances can change,” Albanese said.
“People can be radicalised over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns earlier said the laws “need to change”.
“I think it’s time we have a change to the law in relation to the firearms legislation in NSW,” Minns said at a press conference Monday afternoon.
“But I’m not ready to announce it today.
“We want to make sure that prospective reform and change in NSW … has lasting impact.
“You can expect action soon.”
Minns said he understood the desire for more information on how the legislation may change, but it’s been less than 24 hours since the shooting.
“It means introducing a bill to Parliament … to be really blunt, making it more difficult to get these horrifying weapons that have no practical use in our community,” he said.
“If you’re not a farmer, you’re not involved in agriculture, why do you need these massive weapons to put the public in danger and make life dangerous and difficult for New South Wales police?
“We’ll be looking at change. But I understand you want details. That’s completely understandable.
“You’re going to have to give me some time to get the legislation drafted so we can do it in an appropriate way, in a way that will make a difference.”
Sajid had a category A licence, which allowed him to possess the longarm firearms.
He was also a member of a gun club, NSW Commissioner of Police Mal Lanyon said.
“He met the eligibility for a firearms licence … for a recreational hunting licence,” Lanyon said.
“He was a member of a gun club and was entitled by nature of the Firearms Act to have a firearms licence issued.”
Under a Category A firearms licence, people are entitled to use air rifles, rimfire rifles (other than self-loading), shotguns (other than pump action, lever action or self-loading), shotgun/rimfire combinations.
A 5-year firearms licence costs $200, while a 2-year licence is $100.
There are a string of eligibility criteria for applicants, including the completion of a safety course, confirmation that safe storage requirements will be met, and that the applicant is a “fit and proper person”.
A series of personal history checks are also carried out, which include checks for any apprehended violence or court orders, and any convictions within the last 10 years.
Alannah & Madeline Foundation advocacy adviser and Australian Gun Safety Alliance convener Stephen Bendle welcomed Minns’ comments about gun law reform.
“The Alannah & Madeline Foundation welcomes and will support any progress made by governments at all levels to ensure Australia’s gun laws are safe, responsible and strong,” Bendle said.
“We will continue to build a future where children – and all people – are free from gun-related violence.”
The foundation was launched in 1997, a year after Alannah and Madeline Mikac were killed in the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania.
The girls’ mother was also killed with 32 others.
Walter Mikac, founding patron of the charity, said the massacre served as a “horrific reminder of the need to stay vigilant against violence”.
“Violence has no place in our society. I extend my heartfelt sympathies to all of the victims, survivors and their families, and stand in support and solidarity with the Jewish community,” Mikac said.
“After Port Arthur, Australia made a collective commitment to put community safety first, and that commitment remains as important today as ever.
“This is a horrific reminder of the need to stay vigilant against violence, and of the importance of ensuring our gun laws continue to protect the safety of all Australians.”
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