SA Nationals demand clarity on firearms buyback costs

IMAGE: sanationals.org.au

The South Australian Nationals are calling on Premier Peter Malinauskas to clarify the financial impact of Labor’s proposed national firearms buyback on South Australians.

While federal legislation enabling a buyback has passed in Canberra, the scheme relies on state governments to implement changes and contribute to the cost.

SA Nationals firearms spokesperson Jonathan Pietzsch says conservative estimates place the national cost at more than one billion dollars, with industry groups warning it could be significantly higher.

Mr Pietzsch says with a proposed fifty–fifty cost split between states and the Commonwealth, South Australians deserve to know what they may be required to pay during a cost-of-living crisis.

The party argues there is no evidence to support changes to South Australia’s firearms laws, saying farmers, hunters and sporting shooters rely on licensed firearms for legitimate purposes.

The Nationals oppose the buyback and are instead calling for increased funding to ensure existing firearms regulations are properly enforced.