MEDIA RELEASE
7 July 2026
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace MP says the collapse of Labor’s proposed national gun buyback scheme demonstrates the Government focused on the wrong response to Australia’s worst terrorist attack in decades.
Mr Wallace said while every Australian wanted stronger action following the horrific antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi, Labor’s response failed to address the real security challenges facing the nation.
“The Bondi terrorist attack was a tragic wake-up call for Australia,” Mr Wallace said.
“It exposed serious failures in our ability to identify and stop violent extremists before they strike.”
“Australians expected the Government to strengthen our counter-terrorism capabilities, support our intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and better protect vulnerable communities, particularly Australia’s Jewish community.”
“Instead, Labor chose to focus on law-abiding firearm owners.”
Mr Wallace said Labor had promised agreement with the states by March and legislation by 1 July but had failed to deliver after several jurisdictions declined to participate.
“The fact this proposal has now effectively collapsed shows it was never the right approach.”
“The Royal Commission’s interim report made clear that no state or federal agency reported Australia’s existing firearms laws were insufficient to prevent the Bondi terrorist attack.”
“That should have prompted the Government to focus on the real threats posed by violent extremists, not law-abiding Australians who already operate within one of the toughest firearm regulatory systems in the world.”
Mr Wallace said Australia’s response to terrorism must be driven by evidence, not symbolism.
“Keeping Australians safe means confronting terrorism, violent extremism and antisemitism head-on.”
“It means ensuring our intelligence agencies have the powers and resources they need, improving information sharing within the National Intelligence Community and Law Enforcement Agencies, and undertaking all reasonable measures to make sure dangerous individuals are identified before they can carry out attacks.”
“That’s where the Government’s focus should have been from day one.”
Labor has also refused to release official costings for the proposed buyback scheme. A report by Shooters Union Australia, Misfire – Estimating the Impacts of a Gun Buyback Scheme, estimates the policy could cost taxpayers up to $15 billion.
Mr Wallace said with government spending already through the roof, taxpayers deserved transparency before billions of dollars were committed to a policy that would not have prevented the Bondi terrorist attack.
“At a time when families are under enormous cost-of-living pressure, taxpayers expect their money to be spent on measures that genuinely improve Australia’s national security.”
Mr Wallace said the Coalition would continue supporting practical measures that genuinely improve Australia’s national security.
“Our focus has always been on protecting Australians from terrorism and violent extremism, supporting our security agencies, and ensuring policy is based on evidence rather than political headlines.
“Only a Coalition Government will properly support our Intelligence and Law Enforcement Agencies to help keep Australians safe.”
[ENDS]
Media Contact: Brendan West – 0402 556 646 – Brendan.west@aph.gov.au
