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The Coalition Government statement ASJ Special Edition: Federal Election 2007 November 2007 Coalition Government has always acknowledged the importance and legitimacy of shooting as a sport. In fact, in recent times, Australia has enjoyed great success on the international sports shooting stage. Our funding of sporting shooters through the Australian Sports Commission highlights the Coalition’s firm commitment to growing the sport and encouraging even greater success into the future. The Coalition Government now provides funding of $1.6 million annually, which is a vast increase on the funding available in 1996. The Coalition Government’s approach to firearms policy has always sought to strike a balance between the interests of sporting shooters and primary producers who have a genuine need to have access to firearms and the interests of the broader community to live safely and securely. The 1996 National Firearms Agreement (NFA) signed by all state and territory police ministers and endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), has set a clear path for appropriate regulation of firearms, including who should be permitted to access and use firearms. This agreement was a response to the terrible events of Port Arthur and we have gradually moved towards more consistent and uniform firearms laws. We have made significant progress in providing national information on owning and transferring firearms. In 2002, the Howard Government established the Sporting Shooters and Firearms Advisory Council. For the first time in Australia’s history, sporting shooters were given a direct line of communication to the Government. The Sporting Shooters and Firearms Advisory Council provides invaluable advice in the development of firearms reforms and the views of this Council will continue to be sought. They have worked closely with the Government to ensure the balance is maintained in providing sporting shooters with the freedom to enjoy their sport, whilst also ensuring the community is safe. It is understandable that some shooters are disappointed by the introduction of tighter national controls on access to certain firearms; however these measures have been taken to ensure the safety of all Australians - a core responsibility of the Coalition Government. Under the agreement, licence applicants should be aged 18 years or over and there must be a ‘genuine reason’ for owning, possessing and using a firearm. A ‘genuine reason’ includes sports shooting activities and the business of primary production, but expressly disregards personal protection as a genuine reason. While state and territory legislation allows minors to use firearms by way of permit systems, this use is required to be supervised use at all times. It is important to remember that permit rights do not equate to licensing rights. Minors cannot purchase or legally acquire a firearm through holding a permit. Australia has come a long way with gun control since 1996. In the decade prior to the Port Arthur massacre, 112 people were killed and 52 wounded in 11 mass shootings1. In the 10 years since the 1996 gun buy-back initiative, no mass shootings have occurred in Australia. Firearms murder has also decreased from 99 victims and 31.7 per cent of all murders in 1996 to 46 victims in 2006 and 16 per cent of all murders2. Robbery with a firearm has decreased from 1585 victims and 9.7 per cent of all robberies in 1996 to 1192 victims in 2006 and 6.9 per cent of all robbery victims3. Firearms-related deaths have decreased from 521 in 1996, to 238 deaths in 20044. Current firearms laws in Australia are based predominantly on the resolutions agreed upon by Australian police ministers and compiled in the National Firearms Agreement. This is a carefully considered agreement that has improved firearms laws in Australia to benefit and protect the community. As a result of this agreement, we have introduced a number of measures, which include:
The Coalition Government has got the balance right with gun control. There is no single measure or package of reforms that can prevent firearm crime or improve safety overnight. We fully support the legitimate use of firearms by sporting shooters and the interests of sporting shooters has been well considered in the development of firearms reforms. A long-term strategy is needed and the Coalition Government is committed to pursuing a range of measures to control firearms and their criminal misuse, while also maintaining the interests of sporting shooters. Notes: |