‘Critical gaps’ exposed: Major changes welcomed following Bondi terror attack
A father whose wife and two children were killed in Australia’s deadliest massacre has welcomed plans to change firearms laws following the Bondi terror attack.
There was fear in Bondi on Sunday, when gunmen opened fire during Hanukkah celebrations, killing 15 people.
This comes nearly 30 years after the Port Arthur massacre, in which 35 people were killed and 23 injured, prompting major changes to gun legislation under then-Prime Minister John Howard.
Fresh calls are being made in the wake of the Bondi attack, with NSW Premier Chris Minns calling parliament back next week to discuss new borders.
Walter Mikac became an activist after losing his wife Nanette and two young daughters Alannah and Madeline in the 1988 massacre and thanked the NSW government for its “decisive action” to change gun laws following the Bondi terror attack.
“I am pleased that Premier Minns listened to the community and our gun safety experts and reaffirmed that community safety is a fundamental principle of our gun laws,” Mr. Mikac said.
“Last Sunday’s horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach is a devastating reminder that strong gun laws must be developed to address new risks, not weakened or weakened.”
He added: “This attack was fueled by hatred, but weapons allowed this hatred to be weaponized as terrorism.
“I offer my deepest condolences to the victims, their families and loved ones.
“I extend my love and solidarity to the Jewish community in Australia, the people of NSW and all Australians in the wake of this unspeakable act of violence and terrorism.
“On a day filled with joy, community and celebration, my heart aches for the many lives lost, including the life of beautiful 10-year-old Matilda and their families.”
Mr Mikac said owning a gun was a privilege, not a right, and Australians rightly expected the law to keep them safe.
Toughest gun laws in a generation
As part of sweeping reforms announced on Friday, the NSW Government will tighten gun laws aimed at reducing the risk of mass violence.
In his proposal to parliament, Mr Minns said the reforms would be the toughest in a generation.
“Gun reform alone cannot solve hate or extremism, but we cannot fail to take action to restrict access to guns that could lead to more violence against our citizens,” he said.
“We can’t undo what happened at Bondi, but we can act decisively to reduce the risk of it happening again.”
The NSW government says the reforms are a direct response to lessons learned from the attack, including that the attacker brought more than one firearm into a public place and is designed to limit access to high-risk weapons.
If approved, the reforms would ensure NSW has the toughest firearms laws in the country, he said.
Mr Mikac also said he supported the Federal Government’s announcement of a national gun rollback plan, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying: “The horrific events in Bondi show we need to get more guns off our streets.”
