Gun ownership laws are to tighten after the deadly terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.
A Jewish festival on Sunday was attacked by two gunmen with 16 people killed and 40 injured.
A joint NSW-federal police team is now investigating the attack as a terrorism act linked to Islamic State following the discovery of more guns and three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at Bondi and at Bonnyrigg and Campsie homes.
Albanese told ABC Radio on Tuesday that restricting gun ownership to citizenship will be looked at.
“We are (looking at a proposal that only citizens can own a gun),” he says.
“I think that would be a sensible change when we (National Cabinet) discussed it. That’s one of the things that will be considered by premiers and chief ministers; I hope that it receives support.”
He also says efforts are accelerating to set up a $160 million digital national firearms register.
“That’s about making sure that we avoid the situation that occurred in Queensland, where the states weren’t talking to each other,” he says.
“There wasn’t a national system; some state governments still have paper processes for registration of firearms so it’s impossible to check if you don’t have a digitised system.”
The Prime Minister says more than $100 million has already been given to states and territories to help them digitalise their gun registries.
OTHER GUN LAW CHANGES
He also floated other possible restrictions.
“We want, in addition, to allow use of criminal intelligence to underpin firearms licensing.
“We want to look at, and consider limiting, the number of firearms to be held by any one individual,” Albanese says.
“Why has someone got six firearms? Because they’re a member of a local gun club? That seems to just not stack up to common sense.”
He says limiting open ended firearms licensing and legal gun types as options as well.
“We’re looking at what can do as well to tighten some customs restrictions on what can come into the country given the development of new technology such as 3D printing.”
Albanese says he is up for a fight with the gun lobby who may oppose these changes.
“I am absolutely ready for the fight,” he says.
NSW Premier Chris Minns and his WA counterpart, Roger Cook (as current head of the Council of Australian Federation) will lead investigations into the changes at a national level.
“It’s important that NSW not just act alone because the system is only as strong as its weakest link,” he says.
“If you have NSW laws tightened but no changes made in the other states, that won’t be as effective as it can be.”
- Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
LIFELINE SUPPORT
Lifeline is scaling up its services to support anyone in need of support.
Lifeline CEO Graham Strong says an urgent call out to boost crisis supporters on shift on Sunday attracted an overwhelming response which allowed them to offer immediate help.
Lifeline also developed a guide to online support toolkit.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and need support, call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14, text them on 0477 13 11 14, visit lifeline.org.au for their online chat service or you can speak to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter on 13 92 76.
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