Page 32 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 13 February 2018
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issuing of a firearm to a particular person would be contrary to the public interest. The bill enables the registrar to withhold the reasons for refusing to issue a licence to protect security sensitive information.
The bill seeks to provide more clarity and certainty for firearms users, particularly those who may need to use one during the course of their employment. For example, the bill allows conservation officers and veterinary surgeons to use suppressors, also known as silencers, to euthanise injured fauna. Furthermore, the bill authorises firearms instructors to use a firearm that belongs to another person, such as firearms belonging to their students. Currently instructors are only authorised to possess and use firearms licensed by them or by their employing club. This will facilitate the demonstration of the proper and safe use of firearms by instructors.
The bill also authorises the storage of firearms at an interstate place of work. This will enable ACT residents who work on a rural property in New South Wales to have their firearms stored at their place of work, rather than having to transport them to and from the ACT. New South Wales police will be given the power to inspect and prosecute any breaches of storage requirements.
The Greens have a long history of supporting strict gun control, which started in the Parliament of Tasmania in the 1980s when attempts were made by the Greens to ban automatic and semiautomatic weapons due to ongoing concerns about public safety and the number of guns in circulation not only in Tasmania but nationally at the time.
After the tragedy of the Port Arthur massacre, where 35 people were killed and 23 injured, we did see a national approach to gun law reform that put community safety first. It involved an amnesty and gun buyback that took some 600,000 firearms out of the community. These reforms have become the envy of the world. Other countries look to Australia for our gun laws, which gun control advocates in many countries would like to introduce.
The evidence has clearly shown that these reforms have had a positive impact on reducing homicides and mass shootings in Australia. It is disturbing to hear that there are those who advocate for loosening gun controls laws when I think many Australians actually believe that we are in a far better position than other places. I mention this in the context of today’s debate because every time these conversations come up, these are I think sensible and largely administrative changes but the broader policy question often floats around.
I think it is useful to reflect on how fortunate we are in this country at the decisions that were taken some years ago now but which continue to have a very positive impact in this country. As I said in my opening remarks, it is a case of finding the right balance between the legitimate uses of firearms, but making sure that we maximise community safety.
As Mrs Jones has noted, the government does have some amendments. I do not need to speak further to those, other than noting that the Greens will be supporting them today.
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