FIREARMS — MINISTERIAL WORKING GROUP
15. Hon RICK MAZZA to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I
refer to the Law Reform Commission's ''Project 105—Review
of the Firearms Act 1973 (WA)'' and specifically the firearms
reform ministerial working group tasked with implementing the commission's
recommendations. I was advised in
answers to previous questions that implementation of the first tranche of agreed
recommendations was imminent.
(1) Is the
minister aware that —
(a) the first
tranche of proposed amendments was agreed to by WA Police Force Police
Licensing Services, the former minister's office and key stakeholders,
including the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia Western Australia and
the Western Australian Firearm Traders Association; and
(b) the proposed
amendments will assist WA Police licensing with an improved structure for the
licensing and management of firearms and a safer storage system, enhancing
public safety?
(2) Is it the
minister's intention to progress the first tranche of recommendations
agreed to by the firearms reform ministerial working group?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) Is it the
minister's intention for the firearms reform ministerial working group
to continue to work through the Law Reform Commission's
recommendations?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
The following information has been
provided to me by the Minister for Police.
(1)–(4) The
McGowan Labor government is committed to progressing firearms reform in Western
Australia and will continue to consult with
key stakeholders during the reform process. The initial reforms will focus on
strengthening our firearms laws in relation
to the activities of organised crime and outlaw motorcycle gangs.