cr500 ,
Assuming you flew to NT and back ? Why didn't you just take it on the plane with you ? A lot less stuffing around regardless of the fact that you have lost the rifle .Costs nothing .
Be warned though , Qantas do not insure firearms against loss or damage .
I'm with Marrakai , avoid media publicity please or we'll end up with a ban on the mailing of firearms .
BTW was your sending dealer smart enough to avoid using his business name or the business name of the receiving dealer when he mailed it ? Lots of firearm dealers do this so as not to advertise that the mailed package is likely to be a firearm .