Is a national gun register on the horizon? Here’s Anthony Albanese's take on John Howard's reform legacy
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Back in 1996, then-Australian Prime Minister John Howard enacted significant gun control legislation in response to the tragic Port Arthur massacre.
Today, current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is praising Howard's bravery and determination as he believes having a national firearms register should be the ‘next step’ for the reforms that began all those years ago.
It's a grim reminder of the tragic events that unfolded just over two decades ago, leading to the loss of 35 lives in the Tasmanian town of Port Arthur.
The mass shooting led to a sweeping overhaul of Australia's gun laws, championed by Howard. Now, Albanese is looking to continue the legacy of those reforms by calling for a national gun register.
In an upcoming ceremony at the National Museum, where the correspondence between Howard and Walter Mikac, a man who lost his wife and two daughters in the massacre, will be entered into the museum's collection, Albanese is set to take the stage.
With Howard and Mikac in attendance, Albanese will discuss the importance of honouring the past to continue the gun reform movement, as well as the progress towards a national firearms register.
In excerpts of his speech, Albanese describes Mikac's heartfelt letter to Howard, written just nine days after the Port Arthur massacre, as ‘one of the most extraordinary things’ he has ever read.
‘The opening sentence alone stands as a monument to the grace and bravery of a truly great Australian,’ The current PM said in an advanced copy of the speech.
‘And I quote: “Dear Mr Howard, as the person who lost his wife and two beautiful daughters at Port Arthur, I am writing to you to give you the strength to ensure no person in Australia ever has to suffer such a loss.” Imagine writing that, a bare nine days after losing the three people you loved most in the world to an act of unspeakable and unimaginable violence,’ he added.
‘Having to grieve, alongside so many others, in the unrelenting glare of the national spotlight … [and] somehow finding the strength to think of others, to think of the future, to try and make sure no one would ever suffer as you and your loved ones had,’ Albanese continued.
The Prime Minister also said that honouring that moment in history is a ‘reminder that our work goes on’ before mentioning progress towards a national firearms register.
The gun reforms enacted under Howard's leadership, with bipartisan support from then-Labor leader Kim Beazley and Coalition partner Tim Fischer, have since halved the death rate from firearms since 1996.
Albanese believes this is a testament to ‘the deep passion and principled advocacy’ of those who championed the cause of reform.
But the introduction of a national firearms register takes this legacy one step further. A real-time, national database would allow officers from any part of the country to access the same information in real-time, instantly checking if an individual holds an interstate gun licence.
This would vastly improve the tracking of guns and their owners across Australia, enhancing safety measures and ensuring continued vigilance in the battle against gun violence.
Earlier this year, in April, police ministers agreed to launch public consultation on a national firearms register. A unanimous decision by the national cabinet is expected in mid-2023.
The register would be a significant milestone in the overarching mission of protecting Australians from gun violence and preventing further tragic incidents like Port Arthur.
Walter Mikac, who has dedicated his life to promoting gun safety, reflects on his correspondence with Howard: ‘These letters demonstrate the power of what one positive decision in a time of trauma and senselessness can achieve.’
Honouring the memory of his family, Mikac established the Alannah & Madeline Foundation in 1997, with Howard as its inaugural patron.
We want to hear from you, members – do you think the introduction of a national gun register can help prevent mass shooting incidents? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Today, current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is praising Howard's bravery and determination as he believes having a national firearms register should be the ‘next step’ for the reforms that began all those years ago.
It's a grim reminder of the tragic events that unfolded just over two decades ago, leading to the loss of 35 lives in the Tasmanian town of Port Arthur.
The mass shooting led to a sweeping overhaul of Australia's gun laws, championed by Howard. Now, Albanese is looking to continue the legacy of those reforms by calling for a national gun register.
Anthony Albanese is seeking to further reform gun laws. Credit: cottonbro studio/Pexels
In an upcoming ceremony at the National Museum, where the correspondence between Howard and Walter Mikac, a man who lost his wife and two daughters in the massacre, will be entered into the museum's collection, Albanese is set to take the stage.
With Howard and Mikac in attendance, Albanese will discuss the importance of honouring the past to continue the gun reform movement, as well as the progress towards a national firearms register.
In excerpts of his speech, Albanese describes Mikac's heartfelt letter to Howard, written just nine days after the Port Arthur massacre, as ‘one of the most extraordinary things’ he has ever read.
‘The opening sentence alone stands as a monument to the grace and bravery of a truly great Australian,’ The current PM said in an advanced copy of the speech.
PM Albanese is set to make the remarks at the National Museum on Thursday. Credit: Ricardo Martínez González/Pexels
‘And I quote: “Dear Mr Howard, as the person who lost his wife and two beautiful daughters at Port Arthur, I am writing to you to give you the strength to ensure no person in Australia ever has to suffer such a loss.” Imagine writing that, a bare nine days after losing the three people you loved most in the world to an act of unspeakable and unimaginable violence,’ he added.
‘Having to grieve, alongside so many others, in the unrelenting glare of the national spotlight … [and] somehow finding the strength to think of others, to think of the future, to try and make sure no one would ever suffer as you and your loved ones had,’ Albanese continued.
The Prime Minister also said that honouring that moment in history is a ‘reminder that our work goes on’ before mentioning progress towards a national firearms register.
The gun reforms enacted under Howard's leadership, with bipartisan support from then-Labor leader Kim Beazley and Coalition partner Tim Fischer, have since halved the death rate from firearms since 1996.
Albanese believes this is a testament to ‘the deep passion and principled advocacy’ of those who championed the cause of reform.
But the introduction of a national firearms register takes this legacy one step further. A real-time, national database would allow officers from any part of the country to access the same information in real-time, instantly checking if an individual holds an interstate gun licence.
This would vastly improve the tracking of guns and their owners across Australia, enhancing safety measures and ensuring continued vigilance in the battle against gun violence.
Earlier this year, in April, police ministers agreed to launch public consultation on a national firearms register. A unanimous decision by the national cabinet is expected in mid-2023.
The register would be a significant milestone in the overarching mission of protecting Australians from gun violence and preventing further tragic incidents like Port Arthur.
Walter Mikac, who has dedicated his life to promoting gun safety, reflects on his correspondence with Howard: ‘These letters demonstrate the power of what one positive decision in a time of trauma and senselessness can achieve.’
Honouring the memory of his family, Mikac established the Alannah & Madeline Foundation in 1997, with Howard as its inaugural patron.
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