Deputy Liberal Leader Jane Hume said the Labor government's gun buy-back scheme punishes innocent citizens for the crimes of the guilty [1].
The dispute highlights a growing political divide over how Australia should respond to violent crime and terrorism without infringing on the rights of legal firearm owners.
Hume said the policy is a knee-jerk reaction to the terrorist attack in the Bondi suburb of Sydney [1]. She said the government's approach targets individuals who use firearms for legitimate purposes, including recreational shooters, sportsmen, and farmers [2].
According to Hume, the current response focuses on those who own firearms entirely legally [2]. She said there is no point in penalizing these law-abiding citizens because of the actions of criminals [1].
"This was a knee‑jerk reaction in response to the Bondi terrorist attack by the Labor government," Hume said [1].
The Deputy Liberal Leader said the government's response is punishing recreational shooters and sportsmen, as well as farmers [2]. She said these individuals hold their firearms for the right purposes and within the bounds of the law [2].
"No point punishing the innocent for the crimes of the guilty," Hume said [1].
“"No point punishing the innocent for the crimes of the guilty."”
This clash reflects a fundamental tension in Australian security policy between implementing broad restrictive measures to prevent terrorism and protecting the established legal rights of rural and sporting communities. By framing the buy-back as a reactive rather than strategic move, the Liberal leadership is positioning itself as a defender of due process and lawful ownership against perceived government overreach.
