Independent MP Helen Burnet will push to have Tasmania’s contentious firearms bill sent to a committee this week, arguing it is too “complex” and too “politicised” to be put to a vote.

Burnet, the independent member for Clark and deputy speaker, will move the motion when the House of Assembly returns.

She said parliament had only had the 83-page Firearms Amendment (Strengthening Firearms Security) Bill 2026 for three weeks and had been swamped with proposed changes in recent days.

“We have received six amendments from Labor, 10 amendments from the Greens and 10 amendments from [independent MP Kristie] Johnston and I understand [Carlo] Di Falco is wanting to move amendments,” she said.

“These aren’t minor amendments. Some will have significant ramifications and need proper consideration.”

The House of Assembly will return on Tuesday to consider the firearms bill. Image / Pulse (File)

Burnet said Labor’s changes alone would have significant costs.

“Just the reforms being proposed by Labor, for example, will have significant administrative and financial ramifications for the Tasmanian police and the government,” she said.

Burnet, who quit the Greens in January to sit as an independent, said many submissions had questioned the evidence behind some of the reforms.

She said those stakeholders had not been consulted on the amendments now being proposed.

“That’s not good governance,” she said.

Illegal firearms previously seized by Tasmania Police. Image / Tasmania Police (File)

Burnet said the bill had become politicised to the point that she feared confusion on the floor of parliament and in the community.

“Functioning and clear legislation, especially when it is around something as serious as firearms laws, demands a calm and measured approach,” she said.

“This is exactly why committees exist – to consider a bill in detail, take evidence from different stakeholders and make considered recommendations.”

Police Minister Felix Ellis tabled the bill on August 20. It does not set a cap on how many guns a person can own.

The government deferred debate late last month after MPs asked for more time.

At the time, Ellis said the bill had “generated significant community and stakeholder feedback” and the government wanted to give everyone the best possible opportunity to make an informed decision.

More than 600 submissions were received, with most opposing caps, Ellis said.

He described the bill as targeting “criminals and terrorists”, through better intelligence sharing between states and tougher penalties for trafficking stolen firearms.

Ellis has argued against caps, saying a buyback to support them would cost $40 to $90 million and “would not get one single illegal firearm off our streets”.

Police Minister Felix Ellis tabled the firearms bill on August 20. Image / Pulse (File)

The bill includes its own buyback. Owners of reclassified guns would be compensated at 1.5 times market value, while a six-month voluntary scheme at market value would open to any legal firearm once the bill becomes law.

Labor and the Greens will move amendments to introduce caps on the number of guns a person can own.

Labor MLC Sarah Lovell said her party did not want “unlimited guns in the community” and that the Australian Medical Association and family violence groups backed caps.

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Carlo Di Falco will vote against the bill. Image / Pulse (File)

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Carlo Di Falco will vote against both the caps and the bill.

He said he wanted no caps, no reclassifications and no further restrictions, arguing the focus should instead be on people who commit crimes with firearms.

Independent Clark MP Kristie Johnston said the bill contained significant changes from the version released for public comment.

Parliament will sit from 10am on Tuesday.