Shooters Union Australia lodges human rights complaint over government response to Bondi terrorist attack

Shooters Union Australia has lodged a formal complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission, alleging that recent and proposed Australian Government actions following the Bondi terrorist attack unfairly and disproportionately punish lawful firearms owners  for the actions of terrorist extremists.  

The complaint challenges proposed changes to firearms and related legislation, along with  the proposed national firearms buy-back scheme, which Shooters Union Australia says will cause significant harm to nearly one million responsible Australians while doing nothing to  improve public safety. 

Shooters Union Australia president Graham Park said lawful firearms owners were being  collectively blamed and penalised despite having no connection to terrorism or violent extremism.  

“Punishing farmers, sport shooters and recreational firearms users for the actions of  terrorists is unjust, discriminatory and completely ineffective,” Mr Park said.  

“These Australians are already heavily vetted, tightly regulated and overwhelmingly  compliant. They are not the cause of terrorism, and none of the proposed measures would have prevented the Bondi attack.”  

Mr Park said the government response amounted to collective punishment and raised  serious human rights concerns, including discrimination, lack of procedural fairness, forced loss of lawful property, and the stigmatisation of a lawful section of the community. 

“Nearly one million Australians are being targeted because they are politically convenient,  not because they present a risk,” he said.  

“Lawful firearms ownership may be regulated, but that does not strip people of their right  to fair treatment, meaningful consultation, or protection from being punished for crimes they did not commit.”  

The complaint also criticises the rushed and poorly drafted nature of the proposed reforms,  including the lack of meaningful consultation with affected Australians or their representative organisations.  

“Legislation of this scale should not be rushed through without proper scrutiny, evidence  or consultation,” Mr Park said.  

“Excluding affected communities from decisions that directly impact their livelihoods,  property and lawful activities is negligent and unacceptable.”  

Shooters Union Australia is certain the proposed national buy-back scheme will result in  the forced surrender or devaluation of lawfully acquired personal property, causing financial loss and economic harm without any demonstrated public safety benefit.  

“Terrorists do not surrender weapons under buy-back schemes, and they do not abandon  violent intent because compliant civilians are further restricted,” Mr Park said.  

“These measures are symbolic, not effective, and they divert attention from intelligence  failures and existing powers that were designed to address terrorism.”  

The organisation has called on the Australian Human Rights Commission to urgently  examine whether the government’s actions constitute discriminatory and disproportionate treatment of lawful firearms owners and to advocate for evidence-based responses to  terrorism that do not scapegoat compliant civilians.  

“Australians expect their government to respond to terrorism with competence and  fairness,” Mr Park said.  

“Targeting innocent people may look decisive, but it undermines public trust and does  nothing to make the community safer.”