Australia’s lower house of Parliament passes laws in response to the deadly Bondi Beach shooting

Australia’s Home Affairs Minister,  Tony Burke  (Photo by: The West Australian)

Australia’s lower house has passed sweeping new legislation introducing a national gun buyback scheme and stricter background checks, in response to the deadly Bondi Beach attack that left 15 people dead. The measures mark one of the country’s most significant firearm policy shifts in recent years, reinforcing Australia’s long-standing emphasis on gun control.

Alongside the gun reforms, parliament also approved new laws targeting antisemitism, hate speech, and extremism. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the package reflects a broader effort to protect public safety and counter violent ideologies, arguing that security, social cohesion, and accountability must advance together.

The buyback programme will focus on surplus and newly restricted firearms, aiming to reduce the number of high-risk weapons in circulation. Lawmakers say the move is designed to close gaps exposed by the attack, while strengthening oversight of firearm ownership nationwide.