Western Sydney ‘the heart of Islamic extremism’, says senior Opposition Senator Bridget McKenzie

Senior Opposition senator Bridget McKenzie has declared Western Sydney the “heart of Islamic extremism” while attacking Anthony Albanese’s “political” response to the Bondi terror attack.

The Albanese government announced a suite of changes to tighten gun laws following the attack, including a national buyback scheme, countrywide standards for ownership and tougher import restrictions to stop owners buying modifications making their firearms more lethal.

Senator McKenzie has joined her Nationals colleagues and bodies representing farmers and recreational shooters in opposing the reforms, arguing they would penalise genuine owners.

Speaking to media on Wednesday, she accused the Prime Minister of refusing to “take on Western Sydney out of fear it could hurt Labor in the polls.

“Taking guns off law-abiding citizens is not the appropriate response,” she told the ABC.

“John Howard took on his own voters right after Port Arthur with those gun law changes.

“This prime minister … refuses to take on Western Sydney, where the heart of Islamic extremism lives.”

She went on to say Mr Albanese’s “response to this terrorist attack is purely political”, calling it “his great conflict”.

“His refusal to even acknowledge or speak honestly about the reality of how this came to occur is why he’s got his response wrong,” Senator McKenzie said.

“This is pure deflection and by lumping it all in together, it makes it clear, if he was really serious, he would take on his own constituency in Western Sydney and deal with the actual problem at its source.”

It was put to the Prime Minister during a press conference on Tuesday that those who possess firearms “feel they’re being punished for the actions of two terrorists”.

But Mr Albanese said that would not happen and proposed federal changes were

“common sense”.

“I think Australians would also be surprised to hear the fact that there are more guns in Australia today than there were at the time of the Port Arthur massacre,” Mr Albanese said.

“It is perfectly legitimate for a range of people to have guns and access.

“That’s necessary in a country like ours with agriculture and large properties.

“That’s not the objective here, of interfering, and that’s a matter, frankly, for the states and territories.

“What we are dealing with is Commonwealth responsibility, and I am surprised that anyone in this parliament could walk in and vote against those issues, against a gun buyback, against the provision that says you’ve got to be a citizen, and against the strengthening of our customs to stop the importing of dangerous materials.”

The buyback has sparked resistance from some parts of the country.

Under the scheme, federal and state and territory governments would split the bill on a 50:50 basis.

Tasmania has warned it would cost the cash-strapped state $20m, while the Northern Territory’s chief minister, Lia Finocchiaro, has flatly rejected it would partake.

Queensland has also been hesitant to back it.

More to come