SENATOR THE HON BRIDGET MCKENZIE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT
SHADOW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND TERRITORIES
LEADER OF THE NATIONALS IN THE SENATE
SENATOR FOR VICTORIA
MEDIA RELEASE
14 August 2026
LABOR’S UNFAIR GUN LAWS REPEAL BILL INTRODUCED
A Bill to repeal Labor’s unjust and unfair firearms laws has been introduced into the Senate today.
Nationals’ Senate Leader, Bridget McKenzie, said the Bill would reverse federal laws that were rushed through the Federal Parliament in January in response to the Bondi Islamic terrorist attack.
The legislation would also abolish Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s National Gun Buyback Scheme.
The Firearms Legislation Amendment (Repealing Unfair Gun Laws) Bill 2026 restores Commonwealth firearms and importation law to its position before the passage of Labor’s Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Act 2026.
“This Bill is about fairness and justice,” Senator McKenzie said.
“In January, almost one million law-abiding Australians were blamed for a crime they did not commit and that was wrong.”
“The Bondi massacre was an act of Islamic terrorism. It was not the work of licensed firearm owners, and no evidence has ever been produced connecting them to it.”
Senator McKenzie said the Interim Report of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion had confirmed that no agency identified any gap in the pre-existing legal framework that impeded the prevention of, or response to, the Bondi attack.
“The Royal Commission’s interim finding demolishes the entire premise of Labor’s legislation,” Senator McKenzie said.
“The perpetrators should never have had access to a firearm under the laws that already existed. How they obtained one is a question for the Royal Commission, not an excuse to punish farmers, sporting shooters and hunters who follow the rules.”
The Government’s buyback scheme remains stalled, with Queensland, the Northern Territory and Victoria declining to participate; while Tasmania is pursuing their own arrangements and South Australia is refusing to change its laws.
Only New South Wales and the ACT have committed to the buyback.
“While the Government’s buyback goes nowhere, lawful firearms businesses are being destroyed by Labor’s laws,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Dealers are carrying the losses as a result of new state and federal laws. Many of these are small family businesses that have served their communities for generations.”
“I’m proud that the Federal Nationals led the opposition to the January legislation, and the tabling of a petition with more than 71,000 signatures has shown how strong the feelings of firearm owners are.”
Senator McKenzie said Australia’s state and federal shooting organisations have never been more united and resolved.
“I want to thank everyone who has joined this fight. We have a long way to go, but I am up for it, and I hope you will join me.”
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Gerard McManus – 0477 391 580