Page 4613 - Week 12 - Thursday, 26 October 2017
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(5) Can gun owners hand in their guns to their local gun shop(s) in the ACT; if not, why not.
(6) How does the policy referred to in part (5) differ to the NSW policy.
Mr Gentleman: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) The National Firearms Amnesty (NFA) was conducted between 1 July and 30 September 2017. In total, 699 firearms were surrendered in the ACT during the NFA. The total number of firearms and related articles surrendered in the ACT was 794.
(2) The NFA was not extended.
(3) The terms of the NFA allowed for the anonymous surrender of firearms. A significant majority of those people surrendering items did so anonymously. Typically, people who did provide relevant details were those seeking to register and retain the firearm/s. Those details were recorded in accordance with standard protocols. No deviations from this protocol occurred during the course of the NFA.
(4) Most of the firearms surrendered to the Firearms Registry will be destroyed. However, firearms of potentially historic significance will be assessed for inclusion in the collections of various interested organisations such as the Australian War Memorial, museums and other state and territory Police forces. Additionally, firearms which may hold forensic and/or intelligence significance will not be destroyed until relevant analysis has been carried out. Destruction of all other firearms will commence later this year. In the interim, surrendered firearms are being held in a secure AFP facility.
(5) Section 38(4) of the Firearms Act 1996 (ACT) provides that a proceeding does not lie against a person in relation to the possession of a firearm surrendered to a police officer during an amnesty period. This provision therefore precludes firearms being surrendered to other members of the firearms community, such as firearms dealers, as part of the NFA.
(6) In New South Wales, all firearms, firearm parts, ammunition and prohibited weapons could have been surrendered to participating firearm dealers and police stations during the NFA period.
Ginninderry—advertising expenditure
(Question No 666)
Mrs Dunne asked the Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, upon notice, on 22 September 2017:
(1) Why did the Government approve expenditure of $821 038.90 in February 2017 for advertising for the Ginninderry development, when the development application for this project was not submitted until March 2017;
(2) Why did the Government approve further expenditure of $28 600 in March 2017, when the development application for this development was not approved until August 2017;
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