Media Release – Enterprise Marketing and Research Services (EMRS), 19 January 2026
Overwhelming majority of Tasmanians support stronger gun laws in wake of Bondi
Nearly 70 per cent of Tasmanians support tightening gun laws, and a joint Federal-State funded gun buy-back, according to an exclusive poll undertaken by Enterprise Marketing and Research Services (EMRS).
The results come with Federal Parliament today and tomorrow set to vote on establishing the gun-buy back.
The poll of 752 Tasmanians found that 50 per cent of Tasmanians “strongly support” tighter gun laws and the proposed buy-back in response to Bondi, with a further 19 per cent “somewhat” supportive, for a total of 69 per cent support.
A total of just 24 per cent oppose the changes (includes rounding), with 13 per cent “strongly” opposed and 10 per cent “somewhat” opposed. Seven per cent had no firm opinion either way.
Support for the changes was softer in the more rural electorates of Braddon and Lyons, but still reached 60 per cent.
“In many respects these results are unsurprising – instinctively, the majority of Tasmanians have a leaning towards tighter gun control, particularly after Port Arthur”, EMRS Director, Brad Stansfield, said.
“That being said, the results in Braddon and Lyons do show the existence of a relatively significant minority opposed to the changes in particular demographics.
“Both the State and Federal Governments would do well to reassure these people, in both action and words, that they aren’t being unfairly targeted by these changes.”
The survey was conducted from14-18 January, using EMRS’ online panel. The margin of error for this survey is +/- 3.57 per cent at the 95 per cent confidence level. The question asked was: In response to the Bondi terrorist attack, the Federal Government has proposed further tightening gun laws. This will be accompanied by a gun buy-back with the costs to be shared 50-50 between the Federal and State Governments. To what extent do you support this proposal? [Strongly support/somewhat support/no firm view/support oppose/strongly oppose]
Media release – Tabatha Badger MP, Greens Police, Fire and Emergency Management spokesperson, 19 January 2026
Polling Shows Strong Support for Gun Safety Reforms
Newly released polling is clear evidence of the public support for key gun safety reforms, and provides yet more reason for the Rockliff Government to act.
The EMRS poll shows a majority 69% of Tasmanians surveyed support tighter gun laws and a national buyback scheme. That’s three times higher in support of reform than those opposed.
Looking across the state, every electorate has a majority of people in favour of these reforms, including regional areas.
There are now 160,000 registered firearms in Tasmania. That’s far too many by comparison to other states, such as the Northern Territory with around 55,000.
To keep our community safe into the future, we need to see caps on ownership and a fully implemented national buyback scheme.
Given the clear need for action, and now with the overwhelming support of the community, the Rockliff Government needs to stop dragging their heels and get on board with these reforms.
Media release – Shooters Union Tasmania, 19 January 2026
SHOOTERS UNION SAY TASMANIA “BUY-BACK” POLLING MISSES THE MARK
Shooters Union Tasmania president Phillip Bigg has condemned recent polling which purports to show significant support for stronger gun laws, saying it is highly likely respondents did not have enough information to honestly answer the questions being posed.
The research, carried out by EMRS, showed 69% of Tasmanians allegedly support the Federal Government’s proposed “buy-back” of firearms, despite there being absolutely no information about what such an initiative would be “buying back”.
Mr Bigg said it was common knowledge the average person had very little idea what Tasmania’s gun laws were to begin with, and would have even less idea what the Federal legislation was proposing to do.
“It is appalling to conduct a poll that asks a question of those who have no understanding of legislation or regulations imposed on law abiding firearms owners in Tasmania,” Mr Bigg said.
“Perhaps it would’ve been acceptable if a follow-up question to cross reference data with “what level of familiarity do you have with your state’s Firearms Act or Firearms Regulations?”, but for some reason polls on people’s attitudes to gun laws in Australia never seem to ask that.”
Mr Bigg said the published EMRS results created a misleading narrative that there was something wrong with Tasmania’s gun laws; when the reality was they were already extremely robust.
“In literally every conversation I’ve had with someone who wants the gun laws to be stricter, I ask them what elements they think should be in there – and nearly every time, the things they want are already part of our the laws,” he said.
“Need a licence for a gun? That’s already the law. Have to have a genuine reason for a gun licence? Already part of our laws. Police have to give permission to own a gun? That’s already the law now. Need to keep your guns locked up in safe? Already a requirement. Can’t buy a gun just because you feel like it? Already there in the legislation. Can’t buy a gun for self-defence? Again, that’s in our laws. Can’t own semi-automatic rifles like the AR-15? That’s very clearly in our laws too.”
Mr Bigg said even framing the question in the context of a proposed Federal Government “buy-back” was still misleading, as what firearms any such initiative might cover were entirely a Tasmanian state government issue.
“It’s got nothing to do with the Federal Government – they only control imports; everything else is handled at State level,” he said.
I’m sure if the question was ‘Do you support the Federal Government forcibly acquiring people’s lawfully obtained sports gear and farming equipment under threat of imprisonment?’, the responses would have been very different.”
Media release – Josh Willie MP, Labor Leader, 20 January 2026
Liberals must support national gun buyback and put community safety first
Today, the Albanese Labor Government is taking action to strengthen gun laws in the wake of the tragic Bondi massacre. If the national gun buyback scheme is passed by the Federal Parliament, the Tasmanian Liberal Government must clearly and publicly state its support.
Tasmanians want stronger gun controls and safer communities. The State Government cannot keep sitting on the sidelines while the community is calling for action.
Right now, the Liberals are sending mixed messages. Felix Ellis and Gavin Pearce are publicly warning against reform, while Jo Palmer claims the Government is not opposing the changes at all. Tasmanians deserve clarity, not contradiction on an issue as serious as community safety.
Tasmanian Labor supports practical reforms that remove surplus guns from our communities while respecting the needs of primary producers, sports shooters, and responsible hunters.
We can improve community safety without unfairly targeting law-abiding firearms owners who do the right thing, that balance is exactly what Tasmanians expect their leaders to deliver.
Labor will be constructive and work through any proposals that flow from the national reforms. We will engage responsibly, consider the needs of legitimate firearms users, and focus on outcomes that improve public safety.
The Rockliff Liberal Government needs to understand that this is what the community wants. It is time for all members of Parliament to show leadership, work together and put Tasmanians’ safety first.
