Overview
- The House approved the firearms bill 96–45, sending measures for a national buyback, ASIO‑informed background checks, tighter import rules and a bar on non‑citizens holding licences to the Senate.
- The Greens have committed to support the gun bill in the upper house, while the Coalition opposed it in the lower house as a bloc.
- Several states raised funding or participation concerns about the buyback, with Queensland and the Northern Territory rejecting co‑funding and Tasmania yet to decide.
- Labor and the Liberals agreed to narrow hate‑group provisions to focus on promotion of violence, add two‑year parliamentary reviews, consult the opposition leader on listings and de‑listings, and expand aggravated offences to capture visiting extremist preachers.
- The Nationals’ position remains split, with some MPs signaling opposition or abstention, but the revised hate‑group legislation is expected to clear parliament with amendments.