As reported in The Australian, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is reportedly preparing to scale back (paywalled) Victoria’s participation in the Albanese Government’s proposed national firearm buyback scheme ahead of the November state election, amid growing concern over the political and economic fallout of the reforms.
According to the report, the Victorian Government is resisting calls for a proposed cap of up to four firearms per person, with concerns emerging around the impact the reforms could have on regional communities, licensed firearm owners and the state budget. The proposed measures stem from recommendations following the Ken Lay review into Victoria’s firearm laws after the Bondi attack.
The article reports Victoria could join South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory in refusing to fully adopt the proposed national firearm crackdown announced in the wake of Bondi. Queensland and the Northern Territory have reportedly rejected the scheme outright, while South Australia has signalled it will not move to further tighten firearm laws.
Modelling commissioned by Shooters Union Australia (SUA) estimates the direct cost to Victoria could exceed $437 million in the first year alone, including compensation and administration expenses. Graham Park from the SUA said the Federal Government was attempting to pressure Victoria into implementing costly reforms that would disproportionately impact lawful firearm owners and regional communities.
“This is Canberra trying to impose its politics on Victorian communities. The Albanese government rushed through legislation and is now leaving Victoria holding the bill,” Mr Park told The Australian.
Mr Park also defended the role of licensed firearm owners, particularly in regional Australia.
“These are farmers and graziers who depend on firearms to protect crops and livestock from the feral animals that cost Australian agriculture close to a billion dollars a year in direct damage alone,” he said.
“They are competitive shooters representing Australia at the highest international levels. They are licensed, registered, background-checked, and entirely law-abiding. Canberra is deciding to punish them anyway — and is leaning on Victoria to do the punishing.”
The debate comes amid ongoing national discussions surrounding firearm reform following the Bondi attack, with several states continuing to question both the effectiveness and practical implementation of proposed ownership caps and buyback schemes.