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At a press conference after the recent terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced he would bring the topic of strengthening Australia’s gun laws to an emergency National Cabinet Meeting held on Monday, 15 December.

Albanese said, “The government is prepared to take whatever actions are necessary, included in that is the need for tougher gun laws.”

In Australia, firearms restrictions fall under the jurisdiction of states and territories, but after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, then Prime Minister John Howard’s government created, with the support of all state and territory governments, the National Firearms Agreement. The law established a national firearm buyback program, a national firearm registry with a 28-day waiting time for firearm sales and ensured a minimum age of 18 years for gun owners. It also required secured storage and a reasonable justification for the purchase of guns.

At Monday’s meeting, the National Cabinet agreed to renegotiate the National Firearms Agreement. The proposals agreed by Cabinet include speeding up the launch of the National Firearms Register, limiting the number of firearms an individual can own, limiting licenses in perpetuity and the types of gun and modifications considered legal, and making Australian citizenship a requirement.

There was also agreement on allowing additional use of criminal intelligence to underpin firearms licensing.

“The National Cabinet pledged to eradicate anti-Semitism, hate, violence and terrorism and emphasised Australia’s commitment to national coordination on countering terrorism and violent extremism, social cohesion, resourcing and rhetoric to ensure community safety,” a media release stated.

“Leaders agreed that strong, decisive and focused action was needed on gun law reform as an immediate action, including renegotiating the National Firearms Agreement.”

16 people died, including one shooter, and 40 more people were injured after a father and son allegedly opened fire at a gathering celebrating the first day of Channukah. Authorities have previously stated the father had a category AB firearms licence and legally owned the six firearms used in the attack, including a shotgun and a bolt-action rifle.

Overnight, police announced that the 24-year-old son had been charged with 59 offences, including commit terrorist act, 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of cause wounding/grievous bodily harm with intent to murder.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has announced the recall of Parliament ahead of Christmas to discuss gun reform.