Australia Moves Forward with Gun Control Reforms Amid State Opposition
Published 20 January 2026
Highlights
- Australia's lower house passed a gun reform bill and hate speech reforms following the Bondi Beach shooting, moving to the Senate for approval.
- The gun reform includes a national buyback scheme targeting surplus firearms, aiming to reduce the country's four million registered guns.
- Queensland's state government is set to reject the federal gun buyback scheme, despite support from victims' families of past shootings.
- The hate speech bill, initially opposed, was revised and agreed upon by the Liberal party, focusing on banning extremist groups.
- A national firearms register is planned for 2028, addressing deficiencies in weapons licensing highlighted by past tragedies.
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Rewritten Article
Australia Moves Forward with Gun Control Reforms Amid State Opposition
In a significant legislative move, Australia's lower house of parliament has approved a comprehensive gun reform bill and hate speech reforms, spurred by the recent Bondi Beach shooting. The bill, which passed with a 96 to 45 vote, now awaits Senate approval. This legislative package includes a national gun buyback program aimed at reducing the nation's four million registered firearms, a figure that has alarmingly surpassed numbers prior to the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
Gun Reform and National Buyback Scheme
The proposed gun reform, championed by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, seeks to tighten firearm import controls and enhance intelligence sharing on gun license applicants. Burke emphasized that the Bondi Beach attackers, who killed 15 people on December 14, would not have had legal access to firearms under the new legislation. The buyback scheme targets surplus and newly restricted firearms, a move supported by the families of victims from past shootings, including the 2022 Wieambilla police ambush.
State Opposition and Political Dynamics
Despite federal momentum, Queensland's state government has expressed reluctance to participate in the national buyback scheme. This decision follows a marathon cabinet meeting where state leaders debated the implications of the federal initiative. Queensland Labor leader Steven Miles criticized Premier David Crisafulli for undermining community safety by opposing the scheme, warning that the state could become a haven for dangerous firearms.
Hate Speech Reforms and Political Negotiations
Alongside gun reforms, the lower house passed hate speech legislation, initially part of an omnibus bill but later separated due to opposition. The revised bill, now supported by the Liberal party, focuses on banning groups that propagate hate and includes a biennial review by a parliamentary committee. Liberal leader Sussan Ley stated that the bill had been "narrowed, strengthened, and properly focused on keeping Australians safe."
Future of Firearm Legislation
The federal government plans to establish a national firearms register by 2028, addressing gaps in the current weapons licensing system. This initiative follows recommendations from a coronial inquest into the Wieambilla shootings, which highlighted the need for mandatory mental health assessments for gun license applicants.
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Scenario Analysis
As the gun reform and hate speech bills move to the Senate, their passage could mark a pivotal shift in Australia's approach to firearm regulation and hate speech. If approved, the national buyback scheme may face implementation challenges, particularly in states like Queensland that oppose the initiative. The establishment of a national firearms register by 2028 could significantly enhance tracking and accountability, potentially reducing illegal gun circulation. However, political tensions between federal and state governments may complicate these efforts, necessitating ongoing negotiations and compromises to ensure nationwide compliance and effectiveness.
In a significant legislative move, Australia's lower house of parliament has approved a comprehensive gun reform bill and hate speech reforms, spurred by the recent Bondi Beach shooting. The bill, which passed with a 96 to 45 vote, now awaits Senate approval. This legislative package includes a national gun buyback program aimed at reducing the nation's four million registered firearms, a figure that has alarmingly surpassed numbers prior to the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
Gun Reform and National Buyback Scheme
The proposed gun reform, championed by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, seeks to tighten firearm import controls and enhance intelligence sharing on gun license applicants. Burke emphasized that the Bondi Beach attackers, who killed 15 people on December 14, would not have had legal access to firearms under the new legislation. The buyback scheme targets surplus and newly restricted firearms, a move supported by the families of victims from past shootings, including the 2022 Wieambilla police ambush.
State Opposition and Political Dynamics
Despite federal momentum, Queensland's state government has expressed reluctance to participate in the national buyback scheme. This decision follows a marathon cabinet meeting where state leaders debated the implications of the federal initiative. Queensland Labor leader Steven Miles criticized Premier David Crisafulli for undermining community safety by opposing the scheme, warning that the state could become a haven for dangerous firearms.
Hate Speech Reforms and Political Negotiations
Alongside gun reforms, the lower house passed hate speech legislation, initially part of an omnibus bill but later separated due to opposition. The revised bill, now supported by the Liberal party, focuses on banning groups that propagate hate and includes a biennial review by a parliamentary committee. Liberal leader Sussan Ley stated that the bill had been "narrowed, strengthened, and properly focused on keeping Australians safe."
Future of Firearm Legislation
The federal government plans to establish a national firearms register by 2028, addressing gaps in the current weapons licensing system. This initiative follows recommendations from a coronial inquest into the Wieambilla shootings, which highlighted the need for mandatory mental health assessments for gun license applicants.
What this might mean
As the gun reform and hate speech bills move to the Senate, their passage could mark a pivotal shift in Australia's approach to firearm regulation and hate speech. If approved, the national buyback scheme may face implementation challenges, particularly in states like Queensland that oppose the initiative. The establishment of a national firearms register by 2028 could significantly enhance tracking and accountability, potentially reducing illegal gun circulation. However, political tensions between federal and state governments may complicate these efforts, necessitating ongoing negotiations and compromises to ensure nationwide compliance and effectiveness.
