"South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has officially confirmed the state will not be participating in the proposed national firearms buyback scheme.
The Shooting Industry Foundation (SIFA) CEO James Walsh said the move was a significant win for common sense reform in the state, "This announcement marks a further blow to Anthony Albanese's failed national buy-back policy, and we congratulate the SA Premier for his leadership in choosing common sense over ideology, and directing South Australia's efforts on reform that will actually target the issues."
The Premier's commitment was confirmed during Question Time with One Nation MP Robert Roylance, directly pressing the Premier on the issue, asking "Will the premier rule out SA participating in a firearm buyback scheme like recently seen in NSW?"
Premier Malinauskas maintained his government's pre-election commitment to the state's licensed shooters, putting to bed any speculation about South Australia's involvement in a buyback.
"The Government has no policy to participate in the buyback scheme," the Premier stated. "In respect of the buyback, we made plain our position on this issue before the election and haven't changed it since: we are not participating in the buyback."
During his response, the Premier noted that while South Australia supports collaborative, intelligence led reforms agreed upon at National Cabinet, and that a buyback is not the answer.
The Premier highlighted that the state has "already delivered" on targeted measures, such as criminalising the use of 3D printers to manufacture firearms, with the state also making a commitment to greater intelligence sharing between state and federal governments.
Mr Walsh said SIFA supported the more targeted response, "SIFA long advocated for the targeting of criminal use of firearms and the strengthening of intelligence sharing between states and the Canberra. Law abiding firearm users in recreation, sports or working on the land are not criminals, and measures tackling firearms related crime should not treat them as though they are."
SIFA has consistently advocated that blanket buybacks of legally owned firearms do nothing to improve public safety, and in the case of the firearms amnesty have actually taken states like NSW backwards.
SIFA CEO James Walsh said "Buybacks simply drain taxpayer resources that could be better served going to law enforcement, while penalising legitimate, already heavily vetted firearm owners and the essential businesses that support them," He said.
"By focusing resources on illicit firearms and criminal networks rather than lawful industry and recreation, the Malinauskas Government is demonstrating a common-sense, evidence based approach to public safety, and must be commended."
This announcement is a testament to the hard work of industry advocates and the ongoing engagement of the South Australian shooting industry and community. SIFA will continue to monitor and advocate for fact and data led solutions to firearms policy across other jurisdictions, urging all state and territory leaders to follow South Australia's lead."
https://sifa.net.au/another-blow-to-the-national-buyback-as-south-australia-rejects-policy/