Page 1635 - Week 05 - Thursday, 7 April 2005
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(12) Is it proposed that accredited cullers be randomly checked that they are using only the firearm with which they passed the test; if so, under what legal basis;
(13) If these random checks are proposed, how will they be carried out and by whom;
(14) Is it proposed that AFP resources will be diverted from crime fighting to driving around paddocks at night to check the firearms used by cullers;
(15) How frequently is it proposed that future tests for accreditation will take place.
Mr Stanhope: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) Yes
(2) It is a condition of the Licence to Kill native animals issued to the rural lessee under Section 44 of the Nature Conservation Act 1980, that shooters undertaking the killing must be accredited. An accreditation process also ensures that humane death of target kangaroos is achieved in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 1992.
(3) No. Shooters are accredited for a finite period, after which they are required to re-qualify. The accreditation period for all shooters previously permitted to undertake culling expired prior to the commencement of the 2005 culling period.
(4) As mentioned in (2) above.
(5) The Code of Practice for the humane destruction of kangaroos in the ACT prescribes the minimum specification for firearms used to cull kangaroos as “a centrefire rifle, fitted with a telescopic site, Nominal bore size .596 cm (.224”) and centrefire case capacity of at least .222 Remington”.
There is no maximum calibre of rifle specified within the Code. However, for reasons of public safety, the Australian Federal Police have deemed the maximum calibre as being .243.
(6) Adherence to the Code of Practice, unless otherwise stated, is a condition of the Licence to kill native animals issued under the Nature Conservation Act 1980. The Firearms Act 1996 requires shooters and firearms to meet conditions that may be specified by the Registrar of Firearms and particular requirements may be applied for shooting near a public place.
(7) Yes, unless otherwise specified in the conditions of the Licence.
(8) Yes. This acknowledges that culling on rural leases mainly occurs outside daylight hours when kangaroos are likely to be feeding and are most visible.
(9) Five public officials were present at the last accreditation session.
(10) Two officers from Environment ACT were present but not part of the testing process. Two firearms instructors who are not public officials were present and involved in testing.
(11) Accredited cullers will be restricted to the calibre of weapon as specified in their licence conditions.
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