Prime Minister vows tougher gun laws after 15 people, including a child, are killed at Bondi Beach

Australia is confronting renewed demands for tougher gun laws after a mass shooting at Bondi Beach left 15 people dead, including a 10 year old girl, in what the prime minister has described as an act of “evil”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the country must strengthen its firearms laws following the attack, which took place on Sunday during a Hanukkah event at the popular Sydney beach. The shooting has sent shockwaves across the nation and prompted scenes of grief as mourners gathered at makeshift memorials to lay flowers and light candles in memory of the victims.

Police confirmed the alleged gunmen were a 50 year old father and his 24 year old son. The older man died at the scene, while his son remains in hospital in critical condition. Authorities said the father held a firearms licence for recreational hunting, a detail that has intensified public scrutiny over how weapons are accessed and regulated in Australia.

Investigators believe the pair had been staying at a short term rental property in Campsie, around a 30 minute drive from Bondi Beach, where they are suspected to have prepared the attack. Officers were seen removing bags, packages and personal items from the property as part of the ongoing investigation. Police have not yet disclosed a motive, but confirmed the attack deliberately targeted a Jewish community gathering.

Among those killed was British born Rabbi Eli Schlanger. His family confirmed his death, describing him as a devoted community figure whose loss has devastated relatives and friends across continents. Eyewitnesses described scenes of terror as shots rang out across the beachfront. One man told reporters he lost a close friend who had recently become a father again. Another said the sound of gunfire felt as though it lasted “an eternity”.

Verified footage reviewed by journalists shows the attack unfolding minute by minute, with chaos erupting as people fled for safety. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but despite their efforts, the death toll continued to rise throughout the day.

Speaking after the attack, Albanese said Australia could not accept such violence as inevitable. He vowed to push for stronger gun controls, arguing that even one failure in the system can have catastrophic consequences. He said the country owed it to the victims, their families and the wider community to ensure such an atrocity is never repeated.

The shooting has also prompted widespread condemnation from religious and community leaders. Muslim organisations across Australia issued statements denouncing the violence and expressing solidarity with the Jewish community. Representatives said the attack was not only antisemitic but an assault on all Australians, calling for unity and compassion in the face of hatred.

Community leaders urged Australians to reach out to Jewish neighbours and colleagues to offer support during a period of mourning and fear. Many warned against allowing the attack to deepen social divisions, instead calling for calm and collective resolve.

As investigations continue, questions are mounting over how a licensed firearm was allegedly used in such a deadly way. The tragedy has reignited debate over whether existing gun laws are sufficient, even in a country long praised for its strict firearms regulations.

For now, Bondi Beach has become a place of silence and sorrow. Flowers line the pavement, candles flicker in the evening air, and families cling to one another as Australia grapples with one of the deadliest mass shootings in its history.