NATIONALS MOVE TO REPEAL LABOR’S FIREARMS LAWS AND SCRAP GUN BUYBACK
The Nationals are moving in Parliament this week to repeal Labor’s new firearms laws and abolish the Albanese Government’s National Gun Buyback Scheme.
Nationals MP and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud is introducing the Firearms Legislation Amendment (Repealing Unfair Gun Laws) Bill 2026, with Dawson MP Andrew Willcox seconding the Bill, to call on the Albanese Government to repeal its unjust firearms legislation.
The Bill will reverse the federal firearms and importation laws rushed through Parliament by Labor earlier this year.
Mr Willcox said almost one million law-abiding firearms owners had been unfairly targeted by legislation that did not address the real problem of illegal firearms in the hands of criminals.
“The Prime Minister needs to address the real issue, which is radical Islamic terrorism,” Mr Willcox said.
“I am proud to second David Littleproud’s Bill and stand alongside my Nationals colleagues in Parliament calling on Labor to repeal these terrible laws.
“These laws target licensed, law-abiding Australians who have done everything right, while doing nothing to address the people who actually obtain and use firearms illegally.
“The people who will comply with this buyback are the same people who already follow the law, licensed firearm owners with registered firearms.
“Does the Prime Minister seriously believe criminals are going to line up and hand their weapons in?”
Mr Willcox said the cost of Labor’s buyback would ultimately fall on Australian taxpayers and have consequences for regional communities.
“This isn't just an issue for firearm owners. Every Australian taxpayer is being asked to foot the bill for a scheme that is unlikely to get illegal firearms out of the hands of criminals.
“Farmers rely on firearms to protect livestock, manage feral pests and keep their properties safe. They use them responsibly because they are an essential tool of the job.
“If you make it harder and more expensive for farmers to manage feral pests, those costs don't simply disappear. They flow through to the cost of producing food and fibre, and ultimately to consumers at the checkout.”
Mr Willcox said the Nationals would continue to stand up for responsible, law-abiding firearms owners and welcomed the Queensland Government’s decision not to participate in the Federal Government’s proposed buyback.
“It is great to see the Queensland Government standing strong and refusing to join Labor’s scheme.
“That is what commonsense government looks like, listening to regional communities instead of imposing a one-size-fits-all solution from Canberra.”
Mr Littleproud said the Nationals had led the fight against Labor’s firearms laws.
“Almost one million law-abiding Australians were blamed for a crime they did not commit. That was wrong.
“The Bondi massacre was an act of Islamic terrorism. It had nothing to do with licensed firearm owners, and no evidence has ever linked them to it.”
Mr Littleproud said the Nationals would continue fighting until the laws were repealed.
The Nationals’ Bill is backed by a petition with more than 71,000 signatures calling for Labor’s firearms laws to be repealed.
The Federal Government’s proposed buyback remains stalled, with Queensland, the Northern Territory and Victoria declining to participate, while Tasmania is pursuing its own arrangements and South Australia has refused to change its laws.
Only New South Wales and the ACT have committed to the Federal scheme.
Mr Willcox said he would continue to fight for law-abiding firearm owners in regional Australia.
“I will always support responsible, law-abiding firearms owners.
“I refuse to support any agenda that spends taxpayers’ money on legislation that achieves nothing except punishing people who already follow the rules.
“Labor should focus on keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of criminals, rather than targeting the farmers, sporting shooters, hunters and collectors who have done nothing wrong.”
The Bill is expected to be considered by the House of Representatives this week.
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CAPTION
Dawson MP Andrew Willcox joins Nationals colleagues in Canberra to address the media on the National Party’s push to repeal Labor’s new firearms laws and abolish the Federal Government’s proposed gun buyback scheme.
Contact: Amanda Wright | Media & Communications Adviser
P | 07 4944 0662 M | 0455 456 705 E | Amanda.Wright@aph.gov.au