The Western Australian branch of the SSAA sponsored the State Conference of the National Party at the end of August. The Nationals were the only party to support the rights of shooters during the debate over recent changes to gun laws in that state.
At the conference, state leader of the Party and Leader of the Opposition, Shane Love, committed to move that the regulations due to be released later this year be disallowed. The regulations will provide details around implementation of new legislation and, as they say, the devil’s in the detail. Once the regulations are introduced, the Nationals have assured us they’ll move to have them disallowed on the first sitting day after introduction (which may be after the state election next year).
We don’t yet know the exact date the regulations will be introduced or their start date. While we await clarity, SSAA (WA) will attempt to work with the government and Western Australia police to ensure these regulations do not go further than the legislation intended and that arrangements for their implementation are fair and reasonable.
During the course of the conference, myself and SSAA National CEO Tom Kenyon took the opportunity to meet with several MPs and candidates including Shane Love; Deputy Leader Peter Rundle; Candidate for Bateman, Donna Gordin; Candidate for Central Wheatbelt, Lachlan Hunter; Federal MPs Senator Bridget McKenzie and David Littleproud, as well as the current state member for Central Wheatbelt and candidate for the new Federal seat of Bullwinkle, Mia Davies.
These meetings were fruitful and the Nationals were highly supportive of the rights of law-abiding firearms owners to continue to enjoy their sport, without the onerous restrictions recently placed on them by the Labor government.
SSAA (WA) has been in contact with the Western Australia Liberal Party, seeking their backing for a fairer outcome for sporting shooters and farmers in that state and once we have a clearer picture of their stance, we’ll report back to members. It’s fair to say, however, that so far their support for the sector on this matter has been underwhelming. I look forward to working with WA members and all firearms owners statewide to achieve a fairer outcome for sporting shooters.
Paul Fitzgerald, President, SSAA (WA)
Senator Bridget McKenzie addresses the conference.