Community & Business
11 April, 2026
Chaffey: Gun buyback fails to make it out of the holster
The Albanese government’s national gun buyback scheme has failed to clear its first hurdle, with the majority of states and territories refusing to sign up before the March 2026 deadline.
Federal Member for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey, says state and territory governments saw the reforms for what they were – changes with far-reaching consequences that had been made without any consultation.
“Both the NSW and federal Labor governments charged into these reforms boots-and-all following the horrific events at Bondi on December 14,” Mr Chaffey said.
“It was not a considered or an effective response. It was a desperate attempt to be seen to be doing something.
“These changes were rushed through without any consultation with gun owners, and they have had huge consequences for farmers, for sports shooters and for gun-shop owners. There is no word of compensation or any other measures of support to ease the desperate situation of gun shop owners and pistol clubs.
“It is just common sense that there should be fair compensation at market value for the firearms, ammunition, accessories and special equipment that are handed in. There also needs to be support packages for firearm suppliers to ensure their doors can remain open. Funds need to be available to sporting gun clubs for the upgrade of facilities to deal with the increase in membership necessary due to changes in the regulations.
“And the government needs to consult with all of these bodies to ensure the compensation and support is adequate and appropriate. Just throwing crumbs out to these people and organisations who are so deeply impacted is not enough.
“Two men did the shooting at Bondi Beach, but hundreds of thousands are paying the price.
“To make matters worse, the Labor government has not introduced a single measure to strengthen our counter-terrorism responses. There was a huge delay on calling a Royal Commission – an outright refusal at first – and then after it was announced, special advisor to the Antisemitism Royal Commission, Dennis Richardson, retired.
“This response to a tragic event has been a series of misfires, and I am sorely disappointed on behalf of not only people in my own electorate of Parkes, but all Australians, who deserve better.
“The mishandling of this has only been confirmed by the states and territories who have walked away from the gun buyback. Instead of finding a way forward, we are left with no direction at all.”
