Australia's Post‑Bondi Gun Buyback Stalls Amid State Opposition

After the 1996 national gun buyback that followed the Port Arthur massacre, the Australian government under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a similar scheme in response to the December Bondi Beach antisemitic attack that killed 15 people. The plan called for new firearms restrictions and a buyback of prohibited semi‑automatic and pump‑action weapons, with states and territories expected to agree by March and legislate by July 1.

Months later, only New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory remain on track, while Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia have rejected key measures such as caps on the number of firearms per person. Premier Jacinta Allan cited voter concerns, and police recommendations were ignored, leaving the nationwide buyback largely unrealised.