4 February 2026
The peak body for public health in Australia, the Public Health Association, has welcomed the ACT Government’s actions to quickly introduce the Firearms (Public Safety) Amendment Bill 2026 today during the first week of Legislative Assembly sittings for this year.
Once passed, this update of firearms laws in place since 1996 will restrict access to deadly weapons, including new elements such as 3D blueprints. These will lead to safer communities across the Australian Capital Territory and beyond.
As the ACT takes steps to prepare its systems for the National Firearms Register, the resulting tool will make it easier for law enforcement to track guns across the federation.
We offer our deepest condolences to the Jewish community, to all of the victims, their families, loved ones, and friends affected by the Bondi tragedy.
The Association is a founding member of the Australian Gun Safety Alliance. The alliance and is members repeat our call for all governments in the federation to respond quickly to reform our gun laws, not least because surveys continually show most Australians want firearms much harder to access.
We note with concern that other governments, namely QLD and the NT, appear reticent to take action to ensure the communities they serve are safer from preventable gun violence. We believe this is a grave mistake, and potentially a fatal one for some, and should be rectified quickly.
For further information/comment:
Paris Lord (he/him), PHAA Communications & Media Manager, 0478 587 917, [email protected]
About us:
We’re Australia's peak body for public health and advocate for the health and wellbeing of everyone. We strive to help prevent – rather than cure – illness and disease. We represent around 2,000 individual members from more than 40 professional groups interested in the promotion of public health. We have branches in every state and territory. Learn more at https://www.phaa.net.au/
Contact details:
Paris Lord (he/him), PHAA Communications & Media Manager, 0478 587 917, [email protected]
