Australia’s Tragedy has NZ Significance

This is not the email I had planned to write this week, but due to the significance of the Bondi terror attack, it is a necessary one.

I first want to acknowledge the victims and express the profound sadness and shock that the COLFO committee has been feeling over the last 48 hours, as news of the attack, which left 15 innocent people dead, came to light. Our hearts are with the families of the victims, their families, the Jewish community here and in Australia, and the medical professionals dealing with the aftermath of this horrific attack.

The attack and response from Australian politicians and police feel familiar.

Within hours, NSW Premier Chris Minns stated that changes would restrict firearms for the general public. He called higher-powered long-arm weapons like those used “weapons of mass destruction” and said that unless people worked in agriculture, no one needed such firearms.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged to strengthen national gun laws. National Cabinet agreed on proposals that include limiting the number of firearms one person can own, restricting licences to Australian citizens, and further limiting legal firearm types.

All of this occurred despite the father being deemed fit and proper to hold a firearms licence with six registered weapons. The son had come to the attention of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in October 2019 for alleged associations with others linked to Islamic State terror cell. Authorities assessed no ongoing threat at the time.

Armed police were also seen and caught on camera by bystanders as officers ‘froze’ during the 20-minute attack. Fortunately, unarmed, 43‑year‑old fruit shop owner and hero, Ahmed Al‑Ahmed put his life at risk to disarm one of the terrorists.

Much like after the Christchurch terror attack by an Australian, when Jacinda Ardern and NZ Police blamed insufficient laws despite known vetting failures by police, Australia follows a similar pattern of distraction. Their politicians are focusing on restricting law-abiding owners rather than addressing vetting shortcomings or radicalisation threats.

What has this got to do with COLFO or New Zealand?

With the Arms Bill in the select committee and submissions open until 16 February 2026, similar ideas are likely to emerge here. Australian proposals include ownership limits and type restrictions, which have been on the anti-gun agenda previously. Do more firearm restrictions on law-abiding people make sense to counter violent extremism? No. But you know it’s coming unless we stand up against their rhetoric.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. We need a strong and well-funded pro-firearms group to resist these proposals when they are eventually imported here. Join COLFO today, get personal protection for your firearms license with Sentinel, and tell the government what you think in the Arms Bill consultation.

Next steps for the Arms Bill Consultation 

COLFO will be putting together a ‘Next steps’ email for you this week, so follow us on Facebook and send this to your friends to ensure they aren’t left behind when we publish our submission guide.

Hugh Devereux-Mack

Council of Licenced Firearm Owners

Email: Hugh@colfo.org.nz

Consultation Information

The Arms Bill is now open for submissions. You have until 11.59pm, Monday, 16 February 2026 to have your say on the firearm laws that determine the future of every licensed firearm owner.

This is being overseen by the Justice Select Committee, which means that Police are not involved with the review process. This is important to know for those who worry that speaking about the Police negatively, may mean their license comes under threat.

If you are concerned, then our Sentinel Membership is perfect for you. It ensures that COLFO firearm lawyers are able to step in and protect your license if police try and revoke it for a non-criminal reason.

Sign up today to get the peace of mind for just $99 +GST per year.

The Process from Bill to New Law