Federal Member for Hinkler David Batt MP has spoken in Parliament to oppose Labor’s rushed gun law reform.
“We don’t have a gun problem we have a radical Islam problem,” Mr Batt said.
The Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026 passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday morning, without amendment, despite strong opposition from the Coalition.
“This is not a credible counter terrorism response.”
Mr Batt shared feedback his Hinkler Electorate Office has received, reinforcing strong opposition to the laws:
- “As a sport and recreational shooter, I feel that we are being unjustly targeted through new laws that haven’t been seriously debated and proper consultation undertaken.”
- “The gun buyback and import restrictions appear to target licensed, law-abiding owners rather than addressing the root causes of violence.”
- “There has not been enough time to consider all the implications and unintended consequences of the bill.”
- “If a national buyback proceeds that compensation needs to reflect current market value, cover accessories and ammunition stocks and include provisions for dealers and businesses.”
- “Firearms are a legitimate and necessary tool for farmers and those living in regional and rural Australia. These communities rely on firearms for pest control and livestock protection.”
Mr Batt said the legislation is a diversion from the Government’s countless number of grievous failures and missteps in dealing (or, more to the point, not dealing) with antisemitism and radical Islam.
This bill is large, complex and consequential. Stakeholders have had inadequate time to scrutinise it and it contains a series of flaws.”
Mr Batt said the Coalition supports genuine measures to combat antisemitism and violent extremism, but this Bill has been pushed through with minimal opportunity for scrutiny.
“I will be standing up for the people of Hinkler and all Australians who will, very unfairly, be hit by it.”
The Coalition has argued that this legislation deserved a detailed examination by a Senate committee, including evidence from: firearms industry bodies, sporting organisations, legal experts, civil liberties groups, States and Territories and various government agencies.
The Coalition supports public safety, but the guns buyback framework is incomplete, with key scheme details still unknown.
There is no firm, legislated guarantee of fair market value compensation for property surrendered, consistent with the 1996 model.