Sydney: The New South Wales parliament reconvened on Monday in a rare emergency session to push through tougher gun control laws, following the deadly shooting at a Hanukkah gathering near Bondi Beach that shocked Australia and reignited fears over public safety.
The recall of parliament comes just days after the attack in Sydney, in which several people were killed and many others injured. The incident has deeply shaken the Jewish community and sparked a wider national debate on gun ownership, hate crimes, and security at public events.
The state government is moving quickly to tighten firearms laws, with proposed measures including limits on the number of guns an individual can own, stricter background checks, and tighter monitoring of licensed gun holders. The reforms are aimed at closing loopholes that authorities say allowed the attacker to legally own multiple weapons.
New laws are also expected to give police stronger powers to deal with public safety threats, including broader authority during protests and tougher action against the display of symbols linked to extremism and hate.
Speaking in parliament, the NSW premier said the government had a responsibility to act decisively after such a tragedy, stressing that community safety must come before political differences. He said the aim was to ensure that such an attack is never repeated.
The push for tougher laws has revealed divisions within state politics, particularly between urban and rural lawmakers. Some representatives from farming communities have raised concerns about gun limits affecting legitimate firearm use, while civil rights groups have warned against rushed legislation that could restrict peaceful protest.
At the national level, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has signalled strong support for stricter gun control, announcing plans for a nationwide review of firearms regulations. The federal government is also preparing a major gun buyback programme, described as the largest since Australia’s landmark reforms in the 1990s.
Security has been tightened across Sydney and other major cities, with police increasing patrols around religious sites and public gatherings. Jewish leaders have welcomed the government’s response but continue to call for a deeper investigation into how the attack was allowed to happen.
As New South Wales moves to pass the new laws, the Bondi tragedy has once again reminded Australians of the fragile balance between freedom and security, and the lasting impact of violence on a nation that has long prided itself on strong gun control.