Prime minister Anthony Albanese sought unity with state governments on possible reforms
The federal government is set to review gun legislation in light of the mass shooting that killed at least 16 and injured 40 on Bondi Beach last night, 14 December.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese opened today’s virtual National Cabinet meeting by stating that gun laws would be reviewed to identify aspects that could be tightened or reformed.
“Today’s meeting is about making sure that we have states and territories aligned here, making sure we send a message as well to Jewish Australians that we stand together against antisemitism. Giving a message to all Australians that we stand against terrorism and that we will do whatever it is that we can, if laws need to be adjusted, to make changes,” he said in a statement at the meeting.
Prior to the meeting, he said he would pitch setting restrictions on the number of guns an individual may use or licence. He also expressed his intent to launch a licence review.
“People’s circumstances change. People can be radicalised over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity and checks, of course, making sure that those checks and balances are in place as well,” he said in a statement published by the Australian Financial Review.
The Law Society of NSW also issued a statement regarding the extension of its Solicitor Outreach Service beyond NSW solicitors to all legal professionals, support workers and family members impacted by the tragedy.
“I share the shock and distress of the community at yesterday’s violence at Bondi Beach. Antisemitic and hate-fuelled actions of any kind are to be condemned. On behalf of the solicitor profession of NSW, I offer deepest condolences to families and loved ones of those who were killed during this horrific event, and hope for the best recovery possible for those who were injured”, Law Society president Jennifer Ball said.
She highlighted the free 24/7 telephone crisis counseling and individual therapy sessions that could be availed of through the service.
“Members of our state’s solicitor profession are drawn from every background in our community, including the Jewish community. We join all Australians in standing with them”, Ball said.
A number of beachgoers were celebrating the first day of Hanukkah when two men opened fire on Bondi Beach at around 6:40pm last night. Those who perished in the shooting included a 10-year-old girl, two rabbis, a retired detective sergeant of the NSW Police Force, and a French semi-professional soccer player.
One bystander, greengrocer Ahmed Al-Ahmed, sustained injuries as he tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen. The older of the gunmen died on the scene while the other was hospitalised in critical condition.
NSW premier Chris Minns described the shooting as an act of terrorism against Australia’s Jewish community. NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon indicated that the investigation into the incident would be headed up by the counter-terrorism command.
Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram were identified as the suspects in the shooting. Lanyon said law enforcement was familiar with Naveed, but the knowledge was limited and there was no indication of an intended attack.
Sajid had had a gun licence for about a decade and had licenced six firearms.
According to the AFR, this was the worst mass shooting in Australia since the massacre at Port Arthur in 1996.
