‘We’re not terrorists in waiting’: Firearm owners outraged over new gun laws

Key Concepts

• Firearm Legislation (NSW): Recent amendments to gun laws in New South Wales following the Bondi Junction attack.
• ANAT (Administrative Appeals Tribunal): A body previously used for appeals regarding firearms registry decisions, now removed as an appeal option.
• Energy from Waste (EfW) Facility – Parkes: A proposed $1.6 billion waste-to-energy plant in Parkes, NSW, intended to process Sydney’s waste.
• Regional Concerns: The perception that regional communities are being unfairly burdened with Sydney’s waste and are not adequately consulted in decision-making.
• Government Deficiencies: Criticism of failures within government agencies (security and firearms registry) that allowed the Bondi attacker to obtain a firearm.

New South Wales Legislative Updates and Regional Concerns – Interview with Phil Donato

Firearms Legislation – A “Knee-Jerk” Response

The interview centers on New South Wales Independent MP Phil Donato’s critique of the recently passed Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, specifically its impact on firearm owners. Donato, a registered firearm owner himself, describes the legislation as a “knee-jerk response” to the Bondi Junction terrorist attack, arguing it unfairly targets law-abiding citizens. He highlights the lack of consultation with firearms owners and the problematic bundling of gun law amendments with terrorism legislation as a “slap in the face.”

Donato expresses serious concerns regarding two key aspects of the new laws: caps on the limitation of firearms ownership and the removal of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (ANAT) as a pathway for appealing decisions made by the firearms registry. He emphasizes that the Bondi attacker should never have been granted a firearm license due to existing “red flags” within both federal security agencies and the firearms registry itself. He argues the government’s response focuses on restricting legal gun owners instead of addressing systemic failures within these agencies.

He states, “this was really brought about by a failure of government agencies… this man should never have had a firearm, should never have got a license.” Donato reports widespread dissatisfaction among the “thousands and thousands” of licensed firearms owners in his electorate – primary producers, target shooters, and recreational hunters – who feel unfairly blamed and disproportionately punished.

Energy from Waste Facility – Parkes: A Case of City-Centric Decision-Making

The discussion shifts to the proposed $1.6 billion Energy from Waste (EfW) facility in Parkes, NSW, intended to process waste generated in Sydney. Donato firmly opposes the project, citing a lack of consultation with the Parkes community and the inappropriate location. He argues that EfW facilities are typically situated near the source of waste generation, pointing to a facility he visited in Western Australia as an example – located within a heavily industrialized area with refineries and smelters.

He contends that Parkes, located 300-400km from Sydney, is being treated as a “dumping ground” for Sydney’s waste, reflecting a pattern of “city-centric decisions” that disregard the needs and concerns of regional communities. Donato emphasizes the results of his own research, including community surveys and polling, which demonstrate strong opposition to the project within Parkes. He states, “It is clear the majority of people in Parkes do not want this project in their town.”

Donato references a 2018 inquiry into a proposed EfW facility in Western Sydney, which recommended that future plants not be located within Sydney, raising questions about the government’s commitment to protecting regional communities from potential long-term health risks and property devaluation. He questions what confidence this gives to regional communities regarding the safety and sustainability of the Parkes proposal.

Logical Connections & Supporting Evidence

Donato consistently links both issues – the firearms legislation and the EfW facility – to a broader theme of inadequate consultation and a disregard for the concerns of regional communities. He supports his arguments with anecdotal evidence from his electorate, personal observations (visiting the WA facility), and references to previous inquiries and research findings. The interview establishes a clear narrative of a government prioritizing quick responses and city interests over thorough consideration and regional well-being.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The interview with Phil Donato reveals significant concerns regarding recent legislative changes in New South Wales. He argues that the response to the Bondi Junction attack unfairly burdens law-abiding firearm owners and fails to address systemic failures within government agencies. Similarly, he criticizes the proposed EfW facility in Parkes as a poorly considered project that prioritizes Sydney’s waste management needs over the health and well-being of a regional community. The overarching message is one of frustration with a perceived lack of consultation, a disregard for regional concerns, and a tendency towards “knee-jerk” policy responses.