Parliament recalled as government pushes gun buyback after new figures show 4.1m firearms

Federal parliament has been recalled for an urgent sitting as the government advances gun control measures in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, after new federal figures showed Australians own more than 4.1m firearms, the home affairs minister released.

The figures released by the Department of Home Affairs show about 260,000 licence holders in New South Wales own 1.15m guns, 231,000 licence holders in Queensland own about 1.14m, and Victoria has 243,000 registered owners with about 975,000 weapons. Labor has secured the Greens’ support to pass legislation establishing a buyback program, and the home affairs minister said nationally consistent laws were needed and that keeping Australians safe was the government’s "number one priority."

The government says it is negotiating with states and territories on the buyback’s structure and cost-sharing; the commonwealth had proposed splitting costs 50/50, a proposal so far rejected by the Northern Territory and Tasmania. The hate speech bill has been split and anti‑vilification provisions withdrawn after lacking support from the Greens or the Coalition, and it remains unclear whether the opposition will back the gun reforms as parliament considers the measures this week.

Key Topics

Politics, Gun Buyback, Bondi Beach, Home Affairs, Tony Burke, Greens