The Queensland state government is facing criticism from the opposition for its recent gun laws, which reportedly overlook a significant recommendation from the Wieambilla coronial inquest. This inquest investigated the tragic 2022 shooting that resulted in the deaths of police officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, as well as neighbor Alan Dare. The state coroner, Terry Ryan, highlighted the mental health issues of the assailants and recommended the introduction of mandatory mental health assessments for gun license applicants.

The legislation put forward by the government was a response not only to the Wieambilla inquest but also to the Bondi terror attack and issues surrounding firearm ownership and antisemitism. However, the police minister, Dan Purdie, indicated that mental health checks were not part of the new laws, which has sparked criticism regarding public safety and the need for comprehensive vetting of gun license applicants. The opposition argues that without these checks, the recommendations from the inquest remain unaddressed, which could risk similar tragedies in the future.

The matter has raised broader questions about gun control measures and mental health in Australia. As incidents of gun violence are reevaluated in the wake of national tragedies, the call for stricter regulations pertaining to mental health checks is likely to become a focal point for ongoing debates over safe firearm ownership. The lack of implementation of the inquest’s recommendations calls into question the government’s commitment to ensuring community safety and mental health considerations in the context of firearm legislation.