Chaffey seeks to reverse “rushed” gun laws

Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey has moved to repeal the federal government’s controversial firearms legislation, arguing the laws have created uncertainty for regional gun owners, farmers, sporting clubs and firearms businesses.

Mr Chaffey moved a motion in the House of Representatives calling for the repeal of the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Act 2026, which was passed in January.

The Nationals MP said the legislation had been rushed through parliament without adequate consultation and called for Commonwealth firearms and importation laws to be restored to their previous settings.

“Today I rise to call on the Albanese government to finally let common sense prevail,” Mr Chaffey told parliament.

“From the time the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Act was squeezed through the Albanese government’s lawmaking sausage factory, a mechanism that works without stakeholder engagement and without due consideration for the Australians that it impacts, more than a million law-abiding gun owners have been hung out to dry.”

Mr Chaffey said regional businesses were struggling with unsold stock, cancelled orders and uncertainty surrounding the proposed National Gun Buyback Scheme.

He highlighted the challenges facing Walgett business owners David and Nancy Thwaites, who operate Walgett Hunt Camp Fish and newsagency, and Moree firearms business 2 Rivers Guns Ammo, owned by Sam and Sharnah Tomlinson.

The Tomlinsons have recently announced their family business will close, according to Mr Chaffey.

“Gun shop owners have been left with unsold stock, cancelled orders, collapsed sales and enormous uncertainty while Labor’s proposed ‘support’ will not even come close to covering their losses,” he said.

Mr Chaffey also criticised the proposed compensation arrangements, arguing they would not adequately cover the financial impact on firearms businesses.

“New South Wales Labor’s new buyback deal, brokered with the federal Labor government, thinks $25,000 will cover the millions of dollars worth of losses for these businesses. That’s an insult. It won’t even go close,” he said.

He called for the National Gun Buyback Scheme to be abolished, claiming it had failed to meet its deadlines and secure agreement from all states and territories.

Mr Chaffey said South Australia had joined Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory in declining to participate, leaving NSW and the ACT as the only jurisdictions to have signed up to the arrangements.

He also cited a Shooters Union Australia report estimating the buyback scheme would cost $15m.

The motion comes amid ongoing debate over the federal government’s response to the Bondi terrorist attack and the firearms law changes introduced in its aftermath.

Mr Chaffey argued the new laws unfairly penalised licensed firearms owners and regional businesses rather than focusing on criminals.

“We should target terrorists and criminals, not punish law-abiding firearm owners and the regional businesses that support them,” he said.

He said farmers were uncertain about which firearms they could retain, while sporting clubs were questioning whether they could continue operating under the new arrangements.

“Gun shop owners like David and Nancy deserve fair compensation, gun owners deserve certainty and Australia deserves to know just how this huge change will work for them,” Mr Chaffey said.

“They deserve to be heard.”

Mr Chaffey also addressed parliament about various milestones and events celebrated across the electorate.

“It’s a blessing to be the Member for Parkes where my electorate is more than 400,000 square kilometres of the great state of New South Wales,” he said.

“It means that every month, every week, in just about every community, there are milestones to celebrate.

“From late September through to October there are many anniversaries and events, including the Cobar Miners Memorial Weekend, the Tooraweenah Show, the Going to Gil Weekend and the Narromine Dolly Parton Festival to celebrate the late and great Dolly Parton.

“Dubbo always has something going on every single day, including the launch of its very own edition of Monopoly and the 110th anniversary of the Dubbo Scouts Group.

“A big congratulations to the Barwon Group of the CWA, who are celebrating 100 year anniversary in Pilliga next month.

“The Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society is marking its 75th year with a show called Iconic.”

Mr Chaffey also acknowledged Australia’s first distance education school – the Broken Hill School of the Air.

The school marks its 70th birthday this month with an anniversary dinner dance.

“In Narrabri, the Chamber of Commerce is holding its Business Awards to recognise those who help make Narrabri a great place to live, work and do business,” he said.

“West Wyalong Lions are marking their 10-year anniversary with a charity concert.

“And I would like to pay tribute to a man who knows the Darling River as well as anyone – Scott Gladman, of the Fight the Current Project, who is swimming 1,650km for his mates and families fighting MND, and Parkinson’s Disease.

“Well done Scott, and well done to the Parkes electorate.”