Leadership is best described in silence, when the work is done and the objectives achieved, they will all say we did it ourselves.
In a sensible change of policy and following many months of negotiation by the member groups of the WA Firearm Community Alliance it has now been confirmed that all properties registered for shooting in WA have been approved to issue a minimum of fifteen (15) hunting authorities.
To appreciate the gravity of this change the number of hunting authorities now available has tripled from the original issue of five (5). The regulator has advised that in the coming weeks -if not updated already – all primary producers and landowners who had registered their property since the 31st of March 2025, will see a change on their firearms portal dashboard reflecting the increased number.
We can also advise that larger land holdings with extensive vermin management requirements are able to make a submission for additional hunting authorities by writing to licensing services and stating their case to be provided with more than fifteen (15) hunting authorities. When a landowner registers their property and has a firearm licence, they automatically qualify to have a hunting authority which does not impact the number of hunting authorities they can issue.
In addition to these changes the historical calibre vs property size matrix has been relaxed with a change in approach that sees the purpose of a firearm taken into greater consideration than the old adage of “ you need a minimum number of acres for a .223 ” The WA Biosecurity and Animal Management Act 2007 (BAM) clearly sets out in its’ charter to “ manage the impact and spread of those pests already present “ and recognises the important part that firearms play in controlling feral species across agricultural land. This is yet another example of a practical outcome achieved only through mature dialogue, which is being evidenced by firearm owners and farmers being able to maintain their licensed firearms through the hard work and advocacy of their representative bodies.
On the licensing front it is important to understand the difference between a standard hunting authority and a hunting permission under the New Act. One single standard hunting authority from one landowner is all that it is required to satisfy the genuine reason to licence and own a firearm for hunting in WA or to retain your existing firearms licence.
This is not to be confused with a temporary hunting permission which is simply a text, letter or email from the property owner that gives you temporary permission to shoot and hunt on their land with a licensed firearm that already has a standard hunting authority. These temporary hunting permissions are valid for fourteen (14) days at any place and you can have as many as you like. You can also hold multiple hunting authorities for different requirements to control vermin with different firearms.
Landowners, Primary Producers and Pastoralists know all too well the value of licensed responsible and ethical hunters steadfastly contributing to their vermin control programs and injecting significant financial input into local economies. If you are a member of the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia, make sure to advise the landowners that you work closely with that as an SSAA member you are fully insured and covered against loss, injury or damage when using your licensed firearms and hunting on their place.
On the legislative front the Standing Committee on Legislation is soon expected to call for hearings into the submissions from the respected organisations and thousands of concerned firearm licence holders regarding the issues in the WA Firearms Act.
The Sporting Shooters Association and the members of the WA Firearms Community Alliance that understand the social awareness of the issues and have the maturity to manage relationships will be called upon to extrapolate the issues that need fixing. One thing remains certain while this parliamentary process is underway and that is the ongoing advocacy by the SSAA WA in the WA Police Firearms Working Group, having now resolved that we have all the relevant stakeholders in the group.
If you are a shooter, farmer, pest controller or small landowner and have questions about the benefits of SSAA membership and the key roles that the largest shooting organisation in Australia continues to offer you as a firearms owner, come along and speak with us at the Dowerin Machinery Field Days on the 27th and 28th of August 2025.
Paul Fitzgerald
State President
SSAA WA