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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 303 asked in the Legislative Council on 1 April 2020 by Hon Aaron Stonehouse

Parliament: 40 Session: 1

CORONAVIRUS — SHOOTING SPORTS AND FIREARMS INDUSTRY

303. Hon AARON STONEHOUSE to the minister representing the Minister for Police:

I refer the minister to the directive issued by the WA Commissioner of Police, dated 27 March 2020, ordering the closure of gun shops in Western Australia by midday, on the same day.

(1) Why does the government support the closure of firearm retailers whilst opposing the closure of other forms of retailers such as supermarkets and electronic goods stores?

(2) Is the minister aware that the firearms community in Western Australia received only 70 minutes' notice of these directions and that the directions themselves contained a typographical error?

(3) If yes to (2), how is this notice consistent with best practice in information delivery during a crisis such as the coronavirus pandemic?

(4) What consideration, if any, has the government given to the storage and security of firearms and ammunition that may have been in transit to a gun shop at the time these directions came into effect?

Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by the Minister for Police.

(1)–(4) On 27 March 2020, the Premier outlined that these measures were taken in the interests of community safety. On 28 March 2020, the State Emergency Coordinator issued a subsequent direction that provided more clarity around the ability to open by appointment for certain persons, including primary producers and vermin eradication professionals. On 31 March 2020, the Western Australia Police Force provided further information to affected businesses to assist them in understanding their obligations. In that advice, the Western Australia Police Force advised that the transportation of firearms and ammunition by an approved commercial carrier may continue. The state government is providing detailed information to the public via its own website, and a COVID-19 call centre is in the process of being established to assist the community in meeting its obligations under the current state of emergency.