Australia’s gun laws aren’t as strong as you think

Nearly three decades after the Port Arthur massacre, there are more guns than ever before in Australia and there is still no national firearms register.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Alice Grundy and Skye Predavec join Ebony Bennett to discuss how the Howard Government’s brave reforms in the aftermath of the Port Arthur massacre are falling short of its aims – and what federal, state and territory governments can do to keep Australians safe.
1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, chat online or video call via their website.
Correction: This podcast was updated to remove a reference to buying firearms and ammunition interstate when there is a limit on the licence, which does not appear in our research. What is possible is for a licence-holder to buy firearms and travel to another state.
Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available for pre-order now via the Australia Institute website.
Guest: Alice Grundy, Research Manager and Managing Editor, the Australia Institute // @alicektg
Guest: Skye Predavec, Anne Kantor Fellow, the Australia Institute // @skyelark
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett
Show notes:
Australian gun control: 29 years after Port Arthur by Rod Campbell, Skye Predavec and Alice Grundy, the Australia Institute (May 2025)
Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions
We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.
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