Tasmania is pushing back against the federal government’s proposed firearms reforms, warning a gun buyback scheme could cost the state more than $20 million.
Police Minister Felix Ellis has raised concerns about the funding model ahead of today’s joint meeting of police ministers and attorneys-general.
The talks follow last month’s Bondi Beach terrorist attack, which killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration.
Ellis said Tasmania supported the establishment of a Royal Commission into the attack but would not commit to reforms “without a full understanding of what it involves”.
“The federal government’s current plan lacks detail,” he said.
“… Reforms must result from a consultative, evidence-based process, not through rushed decisions driven by pressure from the federal government.”
The minister said he was particularly concerned about the proposed 50–50 cost split between the Commonwealth and the states for any buyback scheme.
The 1996 buyback – introduced after the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania – was fully funded by the federal government through a one-off Medicare levy increase.
“Our estimates show a buy-back could cost Tasmanians $20 million, not including the administration and enforcement costs,” Ellis said.
“That is more than the cost of building a new primary school.”
Ellis said other reforms could improve public safety more quickly and at a lower cost.
He pointed to the National Firearms Register, saying Tasmania was the only jurisdiction on track to meet the June 2028 deadline.
Fast-tracking that work would cost $700,000, he said.
The minister also called for better intelligence sharing, saying there were no formal requirements for ASIO to notify state police about registered firearm owners on watch lists.
“Information about those with suspected links to terrorist groups should be shared with the police commissioners of each jurisdiction as a matter of course and not as an extra cost to the states,” he said.
Tasmania has indicated it would support some proposed reforms, including making Australian citizenship a requirement for obtaining a firearms licence.
However, Ellis said any caps on firearm numbers should include exemptions for farmers, sporting shooters and other legitimate users.
The federal government has called on states to agree to reforms by March, with legislation expected to follow by July.
