The initiative aimed to facilitate the confiscation and destruction of a significant number of “surplus, newly banned, and illegal” firearms.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro expressed opposition to the buyback program if it required financial support from the region’s budget.
“I stand firmly by my decision to prioritize the welfare of Territorians,” Finocchiaro stated back in January.
In Victoria, Premier Jacinta Allan has remained undecided, pending the outcome of a review into the existing gun regulations in the state.
Similarly, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has yet to declare any commitment to a firearms buyback.
According to reports by The Guardian, Malinauskas is said to have reassured gun advocates that he had no intentions of imposing stricter gun controls before the state’s March election.
Western Australia kicked off its own voluntary firearm buyback scheme, which saw over 83,000 guns surrendered by January 20.
The Tasmanian government is also implementing its own voluntary buyback scheme.
Obstinance from the four states who have either opposed or avoided committing to the federal government’s scheme will block a key part of Labor’s sweeping gun reforms introduced after 15 innocent people were killed on December 15.
The PM had asked states and territories to commit to the new gun law reforms no later than March.
He committed to legislation by July and proposed that all states and territories be responsible for the collection, processing and payment of surrendered firearms, with the government funding costs on a 50:50 basis.
The Australian Federal Police will be responsible for the destruction of the guns.
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