Answers on Australian gun buyback costing
Senate Estimates Committee
Attorney-General's Department
Questions on notice
2 May 2000
Senator Quirke (Labor SA) asked the following questions at the hearing of 2 May 2000.
I am advised that the answers to the honourable Senator's questions are as follows:
1. Has the gun buyback now finished? If not, which States have yet to totally comply?
The amnesty period for the buyback ended on 30 September 1997 and the scheme has been finalised across the States and Territories in so far as it is related to the buyback of prohibited firearms. However, the scheme is yet to be finalised in respect of several dealer compensation claims, which are being negotiated or are the subject of litigation, and Norfolk's Island's participation in the scheme, which is scheduled for the period 19 June - 23 July 2000.
The following States are yet to finalise their dealer compensation claims:
- South Australia
- New South Wales
- Western Australa
- Victoria
- Tasmania
2. a) What amounts have been advanced to dealers in Australia?
No fundings has been advanced to firearm dealers in Australia. However, payments to dealers have totalled $49,106,103.
b) Are all dealers
now compensated? If not, in which States is this not complete?
How many dealers - if any - are yet to be compensated and claims finalised?
As at 14 June2000 details of the number of oustanding claims as advised by jurisdictions were as follows;
South Australia - 4 oustanding
claims
New South Wales - 7 outstanding claims
Victoria - 4 outstanding claims
Tasmania - 1 outstanding claim
3 a) What has been the cost of the dealer component of the gun buyback scheme?
The cost of the dealer component of the gun buyback has been $49,106,913
b) How many dealers have had their claims finalised?
A total of 372 dealers have had their claims finalised under the buyback.
4 a) What was the total administrative cost of the gun buyback?
As at 14 June 2000 a total of $61,236,613 had been expended by the Commonwealth - either as administrative payments to jurisdictions or as a result of Commonwealth administrative costs.
b) What was the cost of the consultants Price Waterhouse for the dealer component of the buyback?
As at 14 June 2000 the states and territories have provided the following figures for the amounts paid to Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PWC) for the firearm dealer component of the buyback. Western Australia did not utilise the services of PWC for its compensation scheme.
| Payments to PricewaterhouseCoopers | |
| South Australia | 338,777.00 |
| Queensland | 525,047.16 |
| Tasmania | 36,297.86 |
| New South Wales | 709,848.00 |
| Northern Territory | 37,638.32 |
| ACT | 14,775.00 |
| Victoria | *935,370.00 |
| Total | $2,597,746.34 |
*This includes an amount of $132,197.00 for the development of the dealer compensation scheme.
c) Were there any other administrative costs associated with the dealer buyback component? If so, what were they and what was their cost?
There were no other administrative costs paid by the Commonwealth specifically for the dealer compensation component of the buyback. The totals paid to jurisdictions for all administrative expenses including for those relating to the dealer component of the buyback as at 17 April 2000 were as follows:
| Payments to Jurisdictions for Administrative expenses | |
| South Australia | 4,096,00 |
| Queensland | 18,254,000 |
| Tasmania | 3,828,000 |
| New South Wales | 12,100,000 |
| Northern Territory | 2,710,000 |
| ACT | 800,000 |
| Victoria | 13,000,000 |
| Western Australia | 1,660,000 |
| Norfolk Island | 190,538 |
| Total | $56,638,538 |
5 a) Has the Attorney-General or any other relevant Minister asked for a report from the relevant Federal Police agencies or anyone else about ammunition controls?
Neither the Attorney-General nor any other relevant Minister has asked for a report about ammunition controls. However, discussions have been initiated with the Sates and Territories about the issue of commercial availability of ammunition for antique firearms, and the relationship of this to licencing and registration requirements for such firearms.
b) Has a report about ammunition or reloading components been requested in respect of any proposed restriction of local production or importation?
No
6 a) Is any proposal to limit, restrict or further control the importation of ammunition or ammunition components currently before the Australian Police Ministers conference?
There is currently no proposal before the Australian Police Minister's Council (APMC) in relation to limiting, restricting or further controlling the importation of ammunition or ammunition components.
b) Is the Commonwealth proposing to put this on the agenda or is the Commonwealth aware of any other attempt to put this on the agenda?
No
7 Does the Commonwealth have any plans or intention to further restrict or control ammunition in Australia?
The Commonwealth does not have any plans or intention to further restrict or control ammunition in Australia (beyond those already contained in the National Firearms Agreement.
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