The Australian Government has announced a funding commitment of $161 million to implement a National Firearms Register, a signature community and police safety initiative that aims to prevent incidents like the deadly Wiembilla shooting in Western Queensland.
The Government will invest $161.3 million over four years to establish the register, and support extensive reform of Commonwealth, State and Territory firearms management systems. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus made the announcement outside the Ipswich Police Station on Saturday with Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann, and Queensland Minister for Police and Community Safety Mark Ryan.
“This is the most significant improvement in Australia’s firearms management systems in almost 30 years,” said Mr Dreyfus.
“With this reform we are sending a clear, united message: every Australian government is committed to doing everything we can to keep our police forces and our communities safe from gun violence.”
A National Firearms Register will ensure police across all Australian jurisdictions have timely and accurate information to assess any firearms risk posed, and protect the community from harm.
It will address significant gaps and inconsistencies with the way firearms are managed across states and territories, allowing the near real-time information about firearm ownership to be shared across the country.
Mr Neumann said the register would help prevent incidents like the Wiembilla tragedy, in which Queensland Police Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold, and brave neighbour and former Ipswich man Alan Dare were killed.
“People in Ipswich will never forget what happened there given former local resident Alan Dare, who was a good neighbour just trying to do the right thing and help people, tragically lost his life,” Mr Neumann said.
In December 2023, National Cabinet agreed to work together to ensure that the register was fully operational within four years. Once established, police will know where firearms are, who owns them, and what other risks to the community and police may exist.
Queensland Minister for Police and Community Safety Mark Ryan said the 2022 shooting was recognised as the catalyst for firearm reforms, just as the former Howard Government’s landmark gun controls were created in the wake of the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
“Queenslanders’ hearts will never heal when it comes to Wieambilla. This is about an investment in community safety, the national firearms register,” he said.
“We are delivering legacy reform, which will forever make Australia and Queensland a safer place.”
