Post by : Meena Ariff

In response to the tragic events at a Jewish holiday gathering near Bondi Beach that resulted in 15 fatalities, Australia is introducing its largest national gun buyback program to date. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese indicated that this initiative is crucial for reducing the prevalence of firearms and preventing further tragedies.

Termed the most pivotal gun reform since 1996, Albanese detailed that the government will purchase newly banned and illegal firearms throughout the country. That year saw the Port Arthur massacre, a watershed moment in Australia's gun legislation.

“Currently, Australia has more firearms than it did following Port Arthur, which is untenable,” Albanese remarked, highlighting that over four million guns are registered in the nation. He underscored the necessity of strict limits on gun ownership, asserting that civilians do not require multiple firearms.

The responsibility for firearm collection and compensation will rest with state and territory governments, while federal police will oversee the destruction of the collected weapons. It is projected that this program could see hundreds of thousands of firearms removed from circulation.

Australia is recognized for having some of the strictest gun regulations globally and possesses one of the lowest rates of gun homicides. The buyback following the 1996 massacre eliminated over 650,000 prohibited firearms, a measure credited with decreasing gun violence significantly.

The recent attack has sparked national introspection. Investigators revealed that the assailants, a father and son duo, were influenced by extremist ideology; one was killed on-site, while the other faces charges of terrorism and murder.

In reaction to an increase in hate crimes, Albanese has proposed stricter hate speech laws, emphasizing that the violence targeted not just the Jewish community but the very fabric of Australian values.

A national day of reflection will take place a week after the attack, encouraging citizens to light candles in remembrance. Emotional tributes are already being held by swimmers and surfers at Bondi Beach, symbolizing unity, resilience, and a determination to reject hatred.

#Political News #Canada News #World News #Hanukkah Attack