Politics Australia discusses stricter gun laws after attack
Following the devastating attack on a Jewish festival in Sydney that left 16 people dead, the Australian government is considering tightening gun laws. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that he would propose a limit on the number of weapons and a review of existing licenses. At the same time, his government is facing accusations that it has not done enough to combat anti-Semitism.
15.12.2025, 08:37
SDA
"People's circumstances can change. People can become radicalized over time. Licenses should not be granted permanently," said Albanese. The attack on Sunday caused horror in Australia: It was the worst case of gun violence in the country for around 30 years.
Investigators have identified the two attackers as father and son. The 50-year-old father was shot dead by emergency services at the scene. The 24-year-old son was caught and is in hospital with serious injuries. The head of the New South Wales Police, Mal Lanyon, explained that the father had been a member of a hunting club. He had a gun license, which allowed him to own long guns.
Strict gun laws were introduced in Australia after a 1996 shooting rampage in the Tasmanian town of Port Arthur. However, according to recent media reports, there have been concerns about an increasing number of weapons in the country.
Motive still largely unclear
The authorities believe that Sunday's horrific attack was an anti-Semitic terrorist attack. The two gunmen had opened fire with long guns on a celebrating crowd at the popular Bondi Beach on the first day of the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, Hanukkah. 15 people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl. 38 people were still in hospital with injuries on Monday. The exact motive of the attackers is still unclear.
Albanese confirmed that Australia's domestic intelligence agency had investigated the son six years ago for links to a Sydney-based cell of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization. Local media reports that two IS flags were also found in one of the attackers' cars were not confirmed by the police, who referred to ongoing investigations.
Has Australia neglected the protection of Jewish life?
"We have seen a clear lack of leadership in protecting Jewish Australians," criticized Opposition Leader Sussan Ley. She went on to say: "We have a government that sees anti-Semitism as a problem that needs to be managed, not an evil that needs to be eradicated".
Prime Minister Albanese in turn said: "There is no place in our country for this hatred, this violence and this terrorism". An attack on Jewish Australians is "an attack on all Australians". He called on his fellow Australians to light a candle at home as a sign of solidarity with the Jewish community. "We are stronger than the cowards who did this," he said.
Flags at half-mast
Albanese refused to respond directly to comments made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had accused Australia of failing to take a firm stance against anti-Semitism. "This is a moment of national unity," Albanese said. "This is a moment for Australians to come together. That is exactly what we will do".
The Prime Minister laid flowers at the Bondi Pavilion on Sydney's popular Bondi Beach and paid tribute to the victims. Flags across the country were flown at half-mast. Numerous people donated blood for the injured.
Australia and other states had formally recognized a state of Palestine this year in the wake of the devastating Gaza war. Netanyahu accused Albanese of adding "fuel to the anti-Semitic fire".
Serious accusations against the government
The Jewish organization Australian Jewish Association also made serious accusations on X: "How many times have we warned the government? Not once did we feel they listened." In the course of the Gaza war, Israel came under increasing international criticism. At the same time, a wave of anti-Semitism can be observed worldwide, with hatred against Jews sometimes culminating in attacks on people or Jewish institutions such as synagogues.
In Australia, there was an arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne in December 2024. The place of worship went up in flames. Albanese spoke of an anti-Semitically motivated outrage that had put people's lives at risk. The authorities blamed Iran and expelled the Iranian ambassador. Nevertheless, Israeli politicians accused Albanese's government of being too lenient towards anti-Semitism and not doing enough to protect the local Jewish community, which comprises around 120,000 people.
