Police Minister Felix Ellis has signalled the state will resist the federal government’s gun buyback scheme, having previously warned it could cost taxpayers $20 million.
In a social media post on Wednesday evening, Ellis said the government supported laws “to take firearms out of the hands of criminals and terrorists”.
“I don’t think you will meet an Australian that doesn’t,” he said.
“But any caps or restrictions on law-abiding Tasmanians are for Tasmanians to decide.”
“We won’t rush this. We will listen to our community, not rubber-stamp Canberra’s agenda.”
Ellis said a buyback would only be justified if the government was restricting licensed firearm owners or banning specific firearms.
“Those calling for a buyback need to be very clear,” he said.
“What restrictions do they want placed on law-abiding farmers, recreational hunters and sporting shooters?”
He has previously warned a buyback could cost Tasmania $20 million, not including administration and enforcement costs.
“That is more than the cost of building a new primary school,” he said.
Greens police spokesperson Tabatha Badger said on Wednesday the state government had had ample time to consider its options.
“The Tasmanian community has every right to be worried that this Rockliff Liberal government is just buying themselves time so that they don’t have to commit to these much-needed reforms,” she said.
“It’s simply not good enough. They need to come out and be clear on exactly what tangible steps they are taking.”
Tasmania’s stance is similar to that of Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, who on Wednesday became the first state leader to formally reject the national buyback.
“Queensland won’t be going down the path of gun buyback because it doesn’t address anti-Semitism and hate and it doesn’t focus on keeping guns out of the hands of terrorists and criminals,” Crisafulli said.
The Northern Territory has also refused to back the scheme if it is required to fund it, with Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro saying she would not have “everyday Territorians foot that bill”.
The Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026 passed the Senate by 38 votes to 26 on Tuesday.
The reforms were fast-tracked following the December 14 Bondi Beach terror attack, which killed 15 people.
The federal buyback requires agreement from states and territories to take effect.
