Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026

Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Prime Minister) (10:48): I rise to support the legislation as it stands before the parliament. I do think it's important to say what it is but also what it isn't. This legislation is not about targeting farmers.

It's not about competitive shooters. It's not about those who are law-abiding firearm owners. This federal bill will establish a national gun buyback scheme to purchase surplus, newly banned and illegal firearms.

The gun buyback scheme is based upon the same scheme that was introduced under John Howard, Tim Fischer and Kim Beazley—three leaders who all stood up at an important moment for Australia and who have made a difference. It is important to comprehend that state governments control the issue of licences, state governments control categories, and state governments control gun limits.

This legislation does not interfere with those arrangements. What the federal government controls is the importation of weapons. This is sensible reform, which includes stopping noncitizens from importing weapons.

This is important legislation, following on from the legislation that was carried a long time ago— Mr Hawke: Point of order. Mr ALBANESE: Are you serious? Ms Catherine King: He was talking to the amendment.

Mr Hawke: That's the reason; that's the whole point. Point of order. The SPEAKER: I'm going to explain before I take your point of order.

The member for Kennedy's amendment was extremely broad. The Prime Minister is responding to that amendment. Mr Hawke: This sounds like a second reading speech.

He's not speaking to the amendment. The SPEAKER: To be fair to the member for Kennedy, he didn't speak to his amendment either. I'm allowing, as I have done before, a very broad debate for the second reading amendment.

I can point to multiple times where this has happened—normally from the opposition's side. The Prime Minister will refer to the member for Kennedy's amendment to ensure that he is compliant with the standing orders. Mr ALBANESE: I'm saying, as I began my speech, why the amendment shouldn't be supported and why the original legislation that's before the parliament is the right legislation that will be carried.

The truth is that there are different arrangements between the Commonwealth and the states. What we have responsibility for, and what the member for Kennedy spoke about, was the provisions that are in this legislation that are important to control these issues going forward. I attended the funeral of Peter Meagher.

There, David Meagher had this to say: Gun reform alone will not solve hatred or extremism, but an antisemite without a gun is just a hate filled person. An antisemite with a gun is a killer. The member for Kennedy has spoken—notwithstanding some of the factual issues, which weren't correct—about how the senior member, the father in this alleged atrocity, was someone who was granted a licence in 2013.

That was not pursued, and later on he was given access to guns. We agree that that's a problem. That is the very issue of what we have focused on with the security authorities.

That is why this legislation should be carried without amendment. That is why it's absolutely critical that that occur.