Below is the complaint formally lodged by the SSAA on 28 August 2025.
Dear ABC,
I am writing to you to formally lodge a complaint in relation to recent reporting about registered firearm owners in Australia, contrary to ABC policies related to editorial independence and integrity, accuracy, and fair and honest dealings.
The Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (SSAA) was established in 1948 to promote shooting sports and protect the interest of firearm owners’ interests. The SSAA has a presence in each state and territory with a combined membership of over 200,000 individuals.
My specific concerns and complaint relate to the following online audio recording “More than 4 million guns in Australia, according to new report” – ABC News (published 25 August 2025), and Mel Bush’s interview with Roland Brown, Gun Control Australia, on 26 August 2025 (Breakfast – ABC listen).
On both occasions, the reporting was one-sided and consequently biased, as no view was sought or provided from registered firearm owners, or from organisations who represent registered firearm owners.
Considering this, I am deeply concerned about how critical community safety matters related to registered firearms are being represented by the national broadcaster.
My concerns have been further heightened by the commentary on ABC radio today by Eliza Goetze that “In New South Wales, police say private gun owners are stockpiling arsenals of up to 300 firearms in suburban homes.”
Through the course of our duties, the SSAA has significant interaction with law enforcement agencies in all Australian jurisdictions. Considering this, I would be deeply surprised if the police in New South Wales have specifically stated that “private gun owners are stockpiling arsenals”.
This matter has been forwarded to our New South Wales branch for discussion with New South Wales Police, in relation to how the ABC is representing and quoting their organisation.
The basis of a lot of this reporting by the ABC appears to be a report produced by the Australia Institute earlier this year. The validity and reliability of this report has been repeatedly called into question.
The Australia Institute report states that “As of 2024, there were over four million guns owned by civilians — one for every seven Australians. This is a 25% increase from the 3.2 million firearms in Australia before the Port Arthur Massacre.” This statement has been used by the ABC in your reporting. What was not acknowledged was that:
- Prior to the 1996 reforms, not all states required registration of firearms. This means that the comparison of registered firearm numbers between then and now is not appropriate.
- Australia’s population grew by 9 million (almost 50%) between 1996 and 2024 from over 18 million people to more than 27 million.
- The assertion that more registered firearms equates to less safety is a baseless conclusion that isn’t backed by data or evidence.
This report also asserted that the research indicates that 52% of people who identify as One Nation voters think gun laws should make it harder to access a gun. I find this unlikely.
ABC reporting that is based solely on information derived from a single think tank runs the very real risk of undermining the extensive efforts of law enforcement agencies and ultimately misinforms critical policy related to community safety. Any changes to public policy in areas like this must be driven by evidence. Similarly, any reporting, especially by the national broadcaster must be balanced and evidence based.
Further to this, the chaotic nature of ill-considered firearm legislative changes has recently been evident in Western Australia. This has ultimately led to the amended firearms act being referred to the state’s legislative review committee – action that was led by upper house members from the Coalition and the Greens. These heavily maligned laws have also been broadly criticised by medical practitioners, conservation groups and domestic violence survivors.
In the future, I request that all ABC reporting about registered firearms is balanced, and seeks input from the registered firearm owners, or groups like the SSAA.
Thank you for your consideration in relation to this matter, I look forward to receiving your response.
Yours sincerely,
Tom Kenyon
Chief Executive Officer
Sporting Shooters Association of Australia Inc.