"This attack was fuelled by hate, but guns allowed that hate to be weaponised as terror." – Walter Mikac AM
Walter Mikac, founder of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation – whose wife Nanette and daughters Alannah and Madeline were killed at Port Arthur in 1996 – has today commended the Premier for his leadership and decisive action to swiftly close the critical gaps in our gun safety laws.
"I extend my deepest condolences to the victims and their families and loved ones.
"This act of terror – in which Jewish people were specifically targeted – is a devastating reminder that Australians should be able to gather and celebrate without fear of gun violence," Walter said.
"I am pleased that the Premier Minns has listened to the community and to our gun safety experts and reconfirmed community safety as the central tenet of our gun laws.
"The horrific terror attack at Bondi Beach last Sunday is a devastating reminder that strong gun laws must evolve to address new risks – not be weakened or undermined," Walter said.
"This attack was fuelled by hate, but guns allowed that hate to be weaponised as terror."
"Firearm ownership is a privilege, not a right. After Port Arthur, Australia chose community safety over ideology, and that commitment remains as critical today as ever.
"Australians, rightly, expect gun laws to keep them safe," Walter said.
"This has been a gruelling week. I am devastated for the families of the victims and for the survivors who must now make sense of this terrible tragedy.
"I stand in love and solidarity with Australia's Jewish community, the people of NSW, and with all Australians in the wake of this unspeakable act of violence and terror.
"My heart aches for the many lives lost, including the life of beautiful 10-year-old Matilda, and to their families, on what should have been a day of joy, community and celebration.
"I also pay tribute to the NSW Police, Paramedics, Lifesavers, and the many bystanders who rushed into to help despite the dangers to themselves, and for the professionalism and care of the medical teams at hospitals across Sydney caring the injured.
"I know all too well the heavy weight of grief and the pain of loss at the hands of violence and hate – and I will continue to advocate for Australia's gun laws to be responsible, safe and strong so that no other family has to face such tragedy.
"All Australians must now come together to build a future where everyone in our community is safe from violence and hate."
Australian Gun Safety Alliance Convenor and Alannah & Madeline Foundation Senior Advocacy Advisor Stephen Bendle also welcomed the Government's announcement today to further strengthen firearm safety in NSW.
"We support any reforms that see a reduction in the number of guns in the community," Stephen said.
"The reforms announced by the government today – which we implore the NSW Parliament to pass without delay – will help achieve that goal."
"Australia's world-renowned firearm framework, established after the Port Arthur tragedy in 1996, has saved countless lives and demonstrated that strong, evidence-based gun laws work.
"However, nearly three decades on, our gun laws have not kept pace with changes in firearm technology, shifts in ownership patterns, and unrelenting pressure from special interest groups.
"Firearm ownership in Australia is a privilege, not a right, and it must be justified by genuine public-interest need.
"Authorities have confirmed that the weapons used in the Bondi attack were legally owned, exposing serious gaps in licensing, firearm categorisation, storage, oversight and national coordination.
"The Government's reforms will work to close these critical gaps and help make the NSW community safer from gun violence.
The Australian Gun Safety Alliance also supports the Federal government's announcement today of a national gun buy-back scheme.
"It is clear that we must reduce the number of firearms circulating in the community and rigorously tighten regulatory safeguards," Stephen said.
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