I rise to speak on the Firearms Amendment Bill 2026. At its heart this bill is about one simple principle: keeping Victorians safe while continuing to support responsible gun ownership. Across Ripon and throughout rural and regional Victoria guns are part of everyday life. Farmers use them for pest control and protecting livestock, recreational hunters enjoy getting out into the bush with family and friends, and sporting shooters dedicate countless hours to training and competition through local clubs. The overwhelming majority of firearm licence holders are responsible, law-abiding people. They store their firearms safely, follow the rules and understand the responsibilities that come with owning a gun. I want to make it clear from the outset that this bill is not directed at those people. This bill is directed at organised criminals, firearm traffickers, extremists and individuals who present a risk to the safety of our community. Good firearm laws must strike the right balance. They must protect the rights of legitimate firearm users while making it as difficult as possible for firearms to fall into the wrong hands. That is exactly what this bill seeks to do.

These reforms come in the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on 14 ‍December 2025. On that day Australians gathering to celebrate Hanukkah were targeted in an act of hatred and violence. Fifteen innocent people lost their lives. Dozens more were injured. Families were torn apart. Communities were left grieving. The attack shocked our whole nation. It was not just the scale of the tragedy that affected Australians; it was the fact that people had come together to celebrate their faith, spend time with loved ones and take part in a community event, only to be confronted by unimaginable violence. Our thoughts remain with the families who lost their loved ones that day, those who suffered injuries, those who witnessed the attack and the wider Jewish community, who continue to carry the pain and trauma of that day.

Following the attack, governments across Australia recognised the need to review whether our firearm laws were keeping pace with emerging threats, organised crime and extremist violence. National cabinet agreed that stronger and more consistent firearm regulations were needed across the country. This bill is a part of that response. It is about learning from tragedy and doing everything we reasonably can to make sure firearms do not end up in the hands of people who may pose a serious risk to the community.

The development of this bill has also been informed by the rapid review of Victoria’s firearms laws conducted by Ken Lay AO APM. The final report of the government’s response was released on 25 ‍May this year, and the government made its position clear: we must continue strengthening our firearm laws while supporting legitimate firearm use.

This bill delivers on that commitment through five key reforms. First, it makes the firearm prohibition order scheme permanent. Firearm prohibition orders, or FPOs, have been operating since 2018. They allow Victoria Police to prohibit high-risk individuals from acquiring, possessing, carrying or using firearms and firearm-related items. Victoria Police has repeatedly said these powers are one of the most effective tools available for disrupting serious and organised crime. These orders are not applied lightly. They are targeted at people who police believe pose a genuine risk to public safety because of their criminal history, behaviour or associations. Since the scheme was introduced thousands of orders have been issued and thousands of charges have been laid for breaches. The evidence is clear that the scheme is working. Without this legislation today, the scheme would expire in May 2018. This bill ensures that does not happen, because if Victoria Police have a tool that prevents dangerous individuals from accessing firearms it simply makes sense to keep that tool available.

The bill also strengthens penalties for people who ignore firearm prohibition orders. A person who has been prohibited from possessing firearms has already been identified as someone who should not have access to guns. If that person deliberately chooses to possess and use firearms anyway, they are putting the community at risk. That is why the maximum penalty for possessing, carrying or using a firearm while subject to an FPO will increase from 10 years imprisonment to 15 years imprisonment. The same increase will apply to people who knowingly supply firearms to someone who is prohibited from possessing them. These are serious offences, and they deserve serious consequences.

The second major reform relates to firearms trafficking. Illegal firearms trafficking fuels organised crime. The more guns that find their way into criminal networks, the greater the risk to public safety. This bill introduces a clear distinction between different levels of firearms trafficking. Under the reforms, possessing between two and nine firearms unlawfully will be treated as a trafficable quantity. Possessing 10 or more firearms unlawfully will be treated as a large trafficable quantity. That distinction matters. Someone unlawfully dealing with 10 or more firearms presents a very different risk to someone involved in lower level offending. The law should recognise that difference. Under this bill offences involving large trafficable quantities of firearms will attract significantly tougher penalties, including penalties of up to 15 years imprisonment. These changes make sure the most serious firearms trafficking operations face penalties that reflect the danger they pose to the Victorian community.

The third reform introduces a citizenship requirement for firearms licensing. Under the bill firearms licence holders will generally be required to be Australian citizens or New Zealand citizens who are permanent residents or otherwise fall within specified exemptions. Importantly, exemptions will apply where a person genuinely requires a firearm to earn a livelihood. The legislation also includes safeguards, including written notification requirements, opportunities to provide evidence and review rights. This reform is designed to strengthen confidence in Victoria’s licensing system while making sure appropriate protections remain in place.

The fourth reform establishes a Commonwealth firearms background-checking regime through AusCheck. This is a significant national reform. AusCheck already undertakes background checking for workers in some of Australia’s most security-sensitive industries and facilities. The new system will allow relevant national security and intelligence information to be considered when firearms-licensing decisions are made. Importantly, this means agencies such as ASIO and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission will be able to contribute information that may identify security risks, organised crime links or other serious concerns. A stronger national approach to information sharing makes sense and will help ensure potentially dangerous individuals are identified before they gain access to guns.

Finally, the bill modernises the way firearms can be categorised. Firearms technology is constantly evolving. These amendments will allow Victoria to respond more quickly when new firearm technologies emerge that may create risks not anticipated under existing laws. This gives police and government greater flexibility to act quickly where necessary while maintaining consistency with national firearm arrangements.

I also want to acknowledge the important contribution of sporting shooters, hunting organisations and local firearm clubs across the electorate of Ripon. These organisations do tremendous work promoting safe firearm use, education, training and responsible participation. I thank the amazing volunteers who dedicate their time to running clubs, mentoring new members and maintaining a culture of safety. That includes the Ballarat Pistol Club, Ararat Rifle Club, Ararat & Stawell Field & Game, Ararat Clay Target Club, Clunes Field & Game, Dunolly Field & Game, Beaufort Gun Club, Maryborough & District Gun Club, Maryborough Rifle Club, St Arnaud Gun Club and St Arnaud Rifle Club. These clubs demonstrate something that is often forgotten in public debate: responsible firearm ownership and strong firearm laws are not opposing ideas. In fact, many responsible firearm owners are among the strongest advocates for keeping guns out of criminal hands. They understand that community confidence in firearms ownership depends on strong licensing, strong compliance and strong penalties for those who abuse the system.

I also want to acknowledge the engagement of stakeholder groups, including the Sporting Shooters Association of Victoria and others who have contributed constructively throughout the development of these reforms. Their input has helped ensure that government has achieved an appropriate balance.

This bill does not place a cap on the number of firearms a person may lawfully own. It does not undermine legitimate farming, hunting or sporting activities. What it does do is strengthen the safeguards around who can access firearms and increase the penalties for those who seek to misuse them. Ultimately, this bill sends a clear message: if you are a responsible firearm owner who follows the law, these reforms are not aimed at you, but if you are a firearm trafficker, an organised criminal, an extremist or someone who presents a serious risk to our community, Victoria will continue to strengthen its laws to stop guns getting into your hands. That is a goal I believe every Victorian can support. I commend the bill to the house.