Gun law reform driven by father of Tasmanian massacre tragedy

The National Museum of Australia will acquire raw letters written by the bereaved father whose grief galvanised the nation behind tough gun laws

Aust politician Prime Minister John Howard (l) shaking hands with Walter Mikac (r) husband and father of Port Arthur shooting massacre victims discussing gun laws.

The National Museum of Australia will acquire raw letters written by the bereaved father whose grief galvanised the nation behind tough gun laws after his family was killed in Australia’s worst mass shooting.

Australian pharmacist and gun control campaigner Walter Mikac wrote to then-prime minister John Howard in 1996, just nine days after his wife Nanette and their two young daughters Alannah and Madeline were killed in the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania.

The correspondence sparked national reform on gun control, with Mr Howard personally asking Mr Mikac to attend an emergency meeting of state and territory police ministers to read his letter in a bid to secure national agreement for uniform gun laws.

Australian pharmacist and gun control advocate Walter Mikac wrote to then-prime minister John Howard in 1996 just nine days after his wife Nanette and their two young daughters Alannah and Madeline were killed in the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania.

The letters are being published for the first time, and will be temporarily on public display from Friday in Canberra.

Anthony Albanese will pay tribute to Mr Mikac in a speech at the National Museum on Thursday, saying the letters marked “a moment of powerful leadership and national unity” and capture “the beginning of more than a quarter-century of truly remarkable personal courage”.

The Prime Minister will reflect on how Mr Mikac made efforts to ensure no one would ever suffer as he had by writing to Mr Howard to “encourage him to hold him to his convictions and do what he knew was right”.

Mr Albanese will also say Mr Howard showed courage and determination in a moment of national challenge, and responded with “deep passion and principled advocacy”.

In his letter to Mr Howard dated May 7, 1996, Mr Mikac urged the federal government to implement sweeping new gun laws.

Australian pharmacist and gun control advocate Walter Mikac wrote to then-prime minister John Howard in 1996 just nine days after his wife Nanette and their two young daughters Alannah and Madeline were killed in the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania.

“I am writing to you to give you the strength to ensure no person in Australia ever has to suffer such a loss,” he wrote.

“I watched the news report this morning on the plane from Hobart to Melbourne (where my family will be buried) on new legislation concerning gun laws.

“I applaud your resolve and every Australian will be proud of your leadership in this matter (even your mate Kim across the bench).”

National Museum director Mathew Trinca said the organisation felt a deep sense of responsibility that Mr Mikac had entrusted it with the letters, which “reflect his vision for a safer Australia during a time of unimaginable grief”.