Senator David Leyonhjelm says government will break deal over gun laws to help restore Australian Building and Construction Commission.

SENATOR David Leyonhjelm has accused the government of breaking a deal over gun laws, as the Prime Minister seeks his vote to restore a union watchdog.

Crossbench senator David Leyonhjelm has accused the government of breaking a deal over gun laws. Picture: Ray Strange.

GUN control advocates are warning the Prime Minister that public safety must not become a “political plaything”, as the future of a contentious shotgun was linked to the Federal Government’s pursuit of a union watchdog.

Crossbench senator David Leyonhjelm has accused the government of breaking a deal over gun laws and admitted his negotiations could become “difficult” as Malcolm Turnbull sought his vote over the restoration of the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

The Liberal Democrat is angry that a temporary ban on importing the Adler A110 lever-action shotgun, introduced by the Abbott government in 2015 — set to expire in July — has been extended.

The spat sparked claims on Tuesday that Mr Turnbull was open to watering down gun reform in return for Senator Leyonhjelm’s vote on the ABCC.

Senator David Leyonhjelm. Picture: Ray Strange.

Alannah & Madeline Foundation chief executive Lesley Podesta warned that bipartisan support for the strong gun stance since the Port Arthur massacre must not take a backward step.

“We don’t want to turn into the US, where gun control is a political plaything,” Ms Podesta said.

“Our strong gun laws have served our country well for two decades, and they should not be watered down.”

Gun law reform advocates are concerned that allowing the shotgun posed a major threat to the nation’s gun laws, but shooters and farmers argue it meets the criteria for Category A licences held by any recreational shooter.

Its status is being assessed as part of the National Firearms Agreement review — agreed to by state governments in the wake of the Lindt cafe siege — amid concerns from senior police over its capacity.

Mr Turnbull said yesterday there was “no prospect” of his government “weakening, watering down John Howard’s gun laws”.

Originally published as Senator David Leyonhjelm says government will break deal over gun laws to help restore Australian Building and Construction Commission.