Kellie Sloane
Leader of the Opposition
The Minns Labor Government must urgently address legitimate concerns about its firearms buyback before the scheme begins on 2 November.
Following the Bondi terrorist attack, the NSW Liberals supported reforms to strengthen community safety. We also made clear that Labor needed to consult in good faith and ensure its rushed laws did not create serious unintended consequences.
Labor failed to do that. It rushed complex legislation through Parliament without proper consultation and has repeatedly ignored the concerns of licensed firearm owners, farmers, sporting shooters, collectors and firearms businesses.
Labor's laws target law-abiding citizens while failing to confront the real threats to public safety exposed by the Bondi terrorist attack and ongoing criminal gang warfare. Chris Minns and NSW Labor must focus its efforts on terrorists, organised criminal networks and illegal firearms, instead of punishing licensed firearm owners who follow the law.
Chris Minns and Anthony Albanese have now announced a buyback that raises more questions than it answers.
Despite being promoted as a national scheme, NSW is the only state identified as having reached an implementation agreement with the Commonwealth, while four other jurisdictions have reportedly refused to participate.
The fixed payments announced for most firearms do not reflect their individual market value. While the Commonwealth and NSW have agreed to share the acquisition costs, the Government has not disclosed the scheme's total anticipated cost or identified the NSW Budget allocation that will fund it.
The Government says it will provide a flat payment for associated ammunition but has failed to disclose the amount, eligibility criteria or whether affected accessories and other property rendered unusable by its laws will be compensated.
The Government must urgently explain:
- What is the total anticipated cost of the buyback, and what NSW Budget allocation will fund the State's share?
- How was the fixed-price schedule determined, and why will most firearms not be assessed at fair market value?
- What compensation will apply to ammunition, accessories and other property rendered unusable by the reforms?
- How many firearms the Government expects will be surrendered?
- Why NSW is proceeding before a genuinely national agreement has been secured?
- What safeguards will protect licensed owners and businesses from financial loss?
- Whether NSW Police has the resources and systems required to administer the scheme safely?
The NSW Liberals have consistently supported practical reforms that improve public safety. We will also continue to hold Labor accountable and ensure its laws are workable, properly funded and do not unfairly punish law-abiding citizens.
The Government must correct course, engage genuinely with affected stakeholders and resolve these concerns before the buyback begins.
Public safety requires properly designed laws and competent implementation, not rushed announcements and unanswered questions.
