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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 252 asked in the Legislative Council on 24 March 2022 by Hon James Hayward

Parliament: 41 Session: 1

POLICE — FIREARM OWNERSHIP

252. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the minister representing the Minister for Police:

I refer to the picture displayed in various recent media reports of the Minister for Police and Premier with a .50 calibre rifle when announcing planned changes to firearm legislation.

(1) How many .50 calibre rifles are registered in Western Australia?

(2) Can the minister advise of possible legitimate uses for .50 calibre rifles in Western Australia, and if they include the control of feral camels?

(3) Can the minister advise where the police sourced the .50 calibre rifle that he was pictured with?

(4) Has the Western Australia Police Force ever purchased a .50 calibre rifle; and, if so, when was the most recent time such a firearm was purchased?

Hon SAMANTHA ROWE replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. I answer on behalf of the Minister for Emergency Services. The following information has been provided to me by the Minister for Police.

(1) There are 20.

(2) There is no legitimacy to any proposal that a .50 calibre rifle is required for the destruction of feral camels. Expert advice has outlined that the largest firearm required to deal with feral animals in WA is a .308 calibre rifle.

(3) A licensed firearm dealer within Western Australia.

(4) Yes, on 24 February 2022.