Media Release – Felix Ellis, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, 9 February 2026

Firearms Consultative Committee Appointed

The Tasmanian Government has appointed nine inaugural members to its new Firearms Consultative Committee.

Chaired by the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, the Committee will provide a dedicated forum to advise the Government on issues relevant to firearms regulation and public safety.

Minister Ellis said the committee would bring together experienced and representative Tasmanians to get the balance right between community safety and supporting responsible firearms owners.

“The Bondi terrorist attack was an absolute tragedy and we owe it to the victims to ensure this never happens again.

“We support stronger laws to stop terrorists and criminals getting access to firearms and reforms must result from a consultative, evidence-based process.

“Tasmania will take a calm and considered approach with the highest priority being accelerating the National Firearms Register for better intelligence sharing.

“Tasmania is the leading jurisdiction on delivering this key reform. At the first meeting the committee will review changes to legislation to enable the NFR to keep firearms out of the wrong hands.”

The first meeting of the Committee will be held before the end of the month.

Committee membership:

  • Cr Cheryl Arnol – Various
  • Nathan Cox – TasFarmers
  • Sgt Cam Little – Police Association of Tasmania
  • Stephen Bendle – Alannah & Madeline Foundation
  • Andrew Judd – Sporting Shooters Association of Australia
  • Geoff Hendley – Firearm Dealer
  • Dr Phill Pullinger – Medics for Gun Control
  • Deborah Thomson – Engender Equality
  • Ellen Freeman – Recreational Hunter

Tabatha Badger MP, Greens Police, Fire and Emergency Management spokesperson, 9 February 2026

Firearms Committee Masks More Delays

Police Minister Felix Ellis has finally announced the members of his Firearms Consultative Committee, but still hasn’t put a timeline on consultation for nationally proposed reforms. If anything, today’s announcement seems to confirm we’re just in for even more delays.

With other states already committed to and acting on reform, Tasmania is already well behind the eight ball. But rather than getting on with the job, Minister Ellis now says the first meeting of his new consultation committee will be by the end of the month, and still won’t provide a timeline for a decision.

Tasmanians strongly support firearm safety reform and they’re fed up with these delays. What’s particularly concerning about this timeline though is that the Federal Government has made it clear that a commitment from states on these measures is needed by March.

With an apparent majority of his new committee opposed to firearm safety reform, and the committee not set to meet until right before a decision is needed from the State Government, Minister Ellis is quite obviously doing his best to make sure the Rockliff Government takes no new meaningful action.

Clearly the Minister is trying to run down the clock as part of a deliberate strategy to deny the push for critical new firearm safety measures, like caps on ownership and tighter restrictions on classifications.

Tasmania deserves so much better than what we are seeing from Felix Ellis. Premier Jeremy Rockliff needs to intervene and makes sure Tasmania finally commits to real action.