Queensland Opts Out of National Gun Buyback, Citing Limited Impact on Terrorists and Criminals

Context The decision follows the interim report of the Bondi royal commission, which urged a jointly funded buyback after the 2022 Wieambilla police killings. Commissioner Virginia Bell noted delays in creating a national register and urged faster action. Federal Labor backs the plan, but several states, including Queensland and the Northern Territory, have resisted. The move comes as Australia marks the 30th anniversary of the Port Arthur massacre, the event that prompted the original 1996 buyback that destroyed over 650,000 firearms.

Key Facts Queensland rejects the national gun buyback, stating it won't prevent guns from reaching terrorists and criminals. Over 650,000 firearms were destroyed in the 1996 national gun buyback. The Queensland government prioritizes interstate information-sharing and background checks, having already passed laws to restrict gun access to criminals and terrorists.

What It Means Queensland’s stance highlights a split over how best to curb illicit firearms: buybacks versus targeted enforcement and data sharing. Critics argue that without a nationwide scheme, guns may flow across state borders, undermining local restrictions. Supporters of the state’s approach say existing laws already block high‑risk individuals from obtaining weapons. The disagreement could delay any coordinated federal‑state response and affect funding allocations for gun‑related initiatives. Political tensions may rise as the federal government prepares to detail the buyback’s timeline, budget and disposal method ahead of upcoming state elections.

What to watch next: whether other holdout states shift their position as the federal government prepares to detail the buyback’s timeline, budget and disposal method.