Former Prime Minister John Howard has spoken about the need for decisive political action and how it helped bring about Australia's gun control laws.
Speaking to Insight's Jenny Brockie, Mr Howard said he was convinced a dramatic gesture was needed to bring about the in 1996, which regulated the sale and ownership of firearms after the Port Arthur massacre.
The legislation was followed by a gun buyback amnesty, and the laws have seen gun-related deaths from around 600 per year, to 230 in 2014.
"I knew, given the nature of political decision-making, that unless ... the decision was implemented immediately, it would wither away. That's what happens," he said.
"Discussions end up in compromise."
The Howard government, just six weeks in the job, enjoyed a 45-seat majority in parliament that saw the legislation pass easily.
Mr Howard also worked strenuously to convince conservative state governments and National Party members of the Coalition.
Host Jenny Brockie questioned the former Prime Minister on whether his actions were a lesson to current political leaders about acting fast on legislation and policies.
Over 600,000 newly-illegal guns were surrendered in the amnesty following the passing of gun control laws (Photo by William West)
Mr Howard declined to offer specific advice, but pointed out how his majority mandated a responsibility to act decisively; that he had no excuse not to.
"If you have political capital, you can be certain of one thing: it will disappear. You don't keep political capital for very long," he said.
"You either see it disappear through inaction, or you spend it on a good cause."
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