Former Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has spoken out against proposed changes to Australia’s gun laws following the deadly Bondi Beach attack, arguing they unfairly target law-abiding firearm owners.
At least 16 people were killed during a Hanukkah event at Bondi, including a 10-year-old girl and a rabbi. One of the attackers also died.
Gunman Sajid Akram was killed in a shootout with police. His son, Naveed Akram, remains in hospital in a critical condition and is expected to face charges.
The attack prompted urgent discussions about Australia’s firearm laws, including questions about how Sajid Akram was able to legally obtain six firearms.
On Monday, national cabinet agreed to consider tougher gun laws. Proposals include restricting firearms licences to Australian citizens, limiting the number of guns a person can own, tightening open-ended licences, and reviewing which firearms and modifications remain legal.
Leaders also agreed to fast-track a national firearms register, which had been scheduled to begin in 2028. Any changes would be the most significant since the Port Arthur massacre.
Barnaby Joyce criticised the proposals, saying they avoid the real issue.
“There may be no solution to the problem of people who hate Australia once they are living in Australia,” he said.
“But, finding farmers who love Australia and removing their rifles is not an answer, it is an excuse for being too afraid to deal with the actual problem.”
Joyce said authorities should instead review migration processes and what was known about Naveed Akram before the attack.
“There will be an intense cynicism of any politician who goes to the podium with merely platitudes,” he said.
“If you go to the law-abiding to deal with the criminal because the law-abiding complies and the criminal is threatening, then you are a coward.”
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson also criticised authorities.
“As a licensed firearms owner myself, I have been through the rigorous background checks, including a ‘fit and proper person’ test,” she said.
“You cannot tell me that a person on a terror watch list, or those living in the same house as a suspected violent extremist, is a fit and proper person.”
Gun advocacy groups warned against what they described as a “kneejerk” response.
“This was not a gap in Australia’s firearms laws,” NSW Shooters, Farmers and Fishers MP Robert Borsak said.
“The powers already exist. The failure was that they were not used.”
Gun safety advocates supported stronger laws. The Alannah and Madeline Foundation said the attack highlighted the need to uphold Australia’s gun laws.
“As an organisation founded after the Port Arthur tragedy and dedicated to keeping children safe from violence, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to advocating for a nation where no family has to endure this unimaginable pain,” it said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Bondi attack differed from Port Arthur.
“Port Arthur was someone engaged in random violence against people,” he said.
“This was targeted. This is ideologically driven and therefore is a different form of hatred and atrocity.”
National cabinet also pledged to work to “eradicate anti-Semitism, hate, violence and terrorism” as the government faces ongoing pressure to respond to the attack.
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