The Albanese government is set to establish a National Firearms Registry, a new national database designed to bolster community safety, following the tragic Wieambilla shootings in 2022.
In the federal budget, due on May 14, $161.3 million will be spent over four years to establish the registry, and state and territory firearms management systems will be updated to comply with the new Commonwealth database.
The commitment follows an agreement reached by the national cabinet in December, although financing agreements had become an obstacle to the reform moving forward.
It is understood South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT could each need up to $30 million to connect to a new federal database.
The tragedy in Wieambilla, Queensland, in December 2022 was the catalyst for reform, after it was originally recommended following the response to the Port Arthur massacre in 1996.
Constables Rachel McCrow (right) and Matthew Arnold (left) were shot dead by three Christian extremists, Gareth, Nathaniel and Stacey Train, on their remote property.
The Albanian government is set to establish a National Firearms Registry, a new national database designed to strengthen community security. It was originally recommended after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996 (pictured).
On April 28, 1996, Martin Bryant killed 35 people in Port Arthur, Tasmania, and injured 23 others.
At the time, it was considered one of the worst massacres in the world.
Byrant is serving 35 life sentences and more than a thousand additional years in prison without parole.
Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold, and neighbor Alan Dawe, were shot dead by three Christian extremists, Gareth, Nathaniel and Stacey Train, at their remote property in Wieambilla, 300 kilometers west of Brisbane.
One of the perpetrators was a licensed firearms holder.
The Wieambilla tragedy in December 2022 was the catalyst for reform (stock)
The registry will allow law enforcement to assess firearms risks by providing frontline police officers across the country with near real-time information on firearms, parts and owners.
Firearms information will also be linked to other relevant law enforcement and government information, including data from the National Criminal Intelligence System.
“Once established, police will know where firearms are, who owns them, and what other risks may exist to the community and police,” said a statement issued by Attorney General Mark Dreyfus.
“The Australian Government is committed to protecting the Australian community and ensuring Australia’s firearms laws remain among the most effective in the world.”