Earlier this week, Australia was shaken by an act of terror and mass violence when two gunmen opened fire on a Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney.
For the Alannah & Madeline Foundation's founding patron, Walter Mikac, and many other Australians, this tragedy reopens deep and painful wounds of the Port Arthur tragedy in 1996.
Established in the shadows of Port Arthur almost 30 years ago, the Alannah & Madeline Foundation has advocated safe, strong and responsible gun laws, so that no more families have to endure the pain of gun violence.
In the three decades since Port Arthur, the Foundation has been working persistently to hold the line on the reforms agreed to after the tragedy in the face of the relentless undermining of our laws by the firearm industry.
"The community, rightly, expects our gun laws to place tight restrictions on gun ownership and use – and for there to be fewer, not more, guns in our community, especially in light of Sunday's tragedy," said Sarah Davies, Alannah & Madeline Foundation CEO.
In a report published last year, the Australia Institute found that there were 25% more guns in Australia in 2025 than there were at the time of the Port Arthur tragedy. The same report found that 1 in 3 firearms in NSW were located not in rural or regional areas, but in major cities.
"Honouring those killed at Bondi Beach – and the legacy of my daughters, Alannah and Madeline – requires more than words of sympathy. It requires courage and a renewed commitment to public safety as the guiding principle of our firearm laws. Australia has led the world before – we can, and must, do so again," said Walter Mikac AM.
We call on all Governments and National Cabinet to strengthen and uphold Australia's National Firearms Agreement through the implementation of the following:
- Explicitly prohibit the use of firearms by children
- Establish a National Firearms Council
- Introduce robust licensing renewal processes
- Limit the number of firearms per individual
- Update the firearms classification system to restrict more firearm categories
- Establish national reporting and oversight
- End metropolitan home storage for non-occupational firearms
- End unlicensed shooting
- End recreational hunting as a standalone justification (licence category) for firearm ownership
"We stand ready to work with leaders across the country," Ms Davies said.
"The choices made now will determine whether this moment becomes another turning point — or a missed opportunity to save lives."
About us:
About the Alannah & Madeline Foundation The Alannah & Madeline Foundation was founded 28 years ago by Walter Mikac AM, and a small group of volunteers in memory of Walter's young daughters Alannah and Madeline, aged just six and three, who tragically lost their lives along with their mother and 32 others at Port Arthur in Tasmania on 28 April 1996. The Foundation was established with the belief that "all children and young people should be able to live a happy and safe life, free from violence and trauma." Our mission continues today through our Care, Prevention and Advocacy programs – we fight for their right to be safe, so their future is strong. www.alannahandmadeline.org.au
About the Australian Gun Safety Alliance The Australian Gun Safety Alliance is a broad coalition of voices representing the interests of the community to ensure we remain vigilant on gun safety. www.gunsafetyalliance.org.au
