Bill Debate · Consideration in Detail
House of Representatives · Tuesday 20 January 2026
Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia
The House considered amendments to the bill during consideration in detail. Zali Steggall moved to include domestic violence history in federal firearms checks, but Tony Burke argued this fell under state jurisdiction, and the amendment was negatived. Bob Katter proposed automatic firearm revocation for those on ASIO watchlists, supported by Andrew Gee and Colin Boyce, but opposed by Anthony Albanese who defended the existing legislative framework; this amendment also failed. Sophie Scamps moved to establish a National Firearms Safety Council, which Helen Haines supported. Although the government did not support the specific amendment, Tony Burke announced the establishment of such a council. The amendments were negatived, and the bill was agreed to.
The amendments were negatived and the bill was agreed to.
Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.
Opened the debate
Steggall moved amendments to require firearms background checks to consider domestic violence history and apprehended violence orders. Steggall argued that it was unacceptable for individuals with violent histories to access firearms during a domestic violence crisis. Steggall contended that ensuring safety for all Australians, including women, required these additional checks in the federal legislation.
Government response
Burke agreed that domestic violence issues must be considered in licensing but explained that the federal AusCheck process only accesses federal intelligence held by ASIO and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. Burke stated that states hold the relevant domestic violence data and conduct the fit-and-proper-person test, making federal inclusion of this data impossible. Later, Burke announced that the government would establish a National Firearms Safety Council, addressing the substance of Scamps' amendment, though the amendment itself was not supported.
Katter moved an amendment to automatically revoke firearms for individuals placed on an ASIO watchlist. Katter argued that authorities failed to remove weapons from the perpetrators of the Bondi attack despite their watchlist status. Katter cited historical gun ownership statistics and international examples to argue against stringent gun laws, claiming they do not reduce deaths.
Albanese supported the bill as drafted, clarifying it targeted illegal firearms and non-citizen imports rather than law-abiding owners. Albanese emphasised that state governments control licensing and categories, while the federal government manages importation. Albanese argued that the legislation was necessary to prevent extremists with guns from becoming killers, referencing the Bondi tragedy.
Gee supported Katter's amendment, questioning how individuals known to security services since 2019 accessed licensed firearms. Gee argued that the nation needed transparency regarding these failures and that watchlisted individuals should be barred from firearm ownership. Gee called for a royal commission to investigate these systemic issues.
Boyce supported Katter's motion, noting the merit in addressing the question of why watchlisted individuals retained firearm access. Boyce stated that this issue deserved parliamentary support and scrutiny.
Scamps moved amendments to establish a National Firearms Safety Council to provide independent, evidence-based policy advice on firearms harm. Scamps argued that current laws had not evolved with technology or ownership patterns, leading to regulatory drift. Scamps highlighted the need for national data collection, research coordination, and monitoring of compliance with the National Firearms Agreement.
Haines supported Scamps' amendments, emphasising the need to close evidence gaps in national gun laws. Haines noted that law-abiding gun owners in her electorate also wanted to ensure no gaps allowed criminals access to weapons. Haines welcomed the government's commitment to establishing the council and stressed the importance of safety for legitimate firearm users.