❓ Hon Louise Kingston questions the mandatory use of myGov/myID for WA firearm licenses, citing conflict with the Commonwealth Digital ID Act's voluntary nature. The Minister's response emphasizes security and national firearms register commitments, offering a hotline for assistance.
AnsweredQoN 4Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Firearms Act—Digital identification
4. Hon Louise Kingston to the minister representing
the Minister for Police:
I refer to section
74 of the Commonwealth Digital ID Act 2024 ,
which explicitly states that digital ID must be voluntary and that government
services using digital ID must offer an alternative method.
(1) Why are Western Australian firearm owners
required to use myGov or myID to apply for or manage their firearm licences,
with no non-digital option available?
(2) Does this not place the WA Firearms Act 2024 in direct conflict with federal
law?
4. Hon Louise Kingston to the minister representing
the Minister for Police:
I refer to section
74 of the Commonwealth Digital ID Act 2024 ,
which explicitly states that digital ID must be voluntary and that government
services using digital ID must offer an alternative method.
(1) Why are Western Australian firearm owners
required to use myGov or myID to apply for or manage their firearm licences,
with no non-digital option available?
(2) Does this not place the WA Firearms Act 2024 in direct conflict with federal
law?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police. I note that the top of the question is dated
Thursday 24 October 2024, but the member did submit it today so it should be
today's date.
(1)–(2) The Firearms
Act 2024 emphasises public safety by regulating firearm possession and
use, including for firearm owners. It mandates that the Western Australia Police
Force provide the highest level of security for personally identifying
information of firearms and licence holders, ensuring access only to authorised
individuals. Section 160(4) of the act allows the commissioner to approve the
manner and form in which any applicant or licence holder can verify their
identity. The myID digital identity has been selected to ensure that the
highest level of identity management is available, and WA police has been
approved as a relying partner for this purpose.
The firearms portal will ensure
firearm security and management statewide, helping us to fulfil commitments to
the National Firearms Register. The firearms portal aims to facilitate a
consistent national approach, including agreements for the National Firearms
Register. This online functionality is intended to provide near real-time
information on the location, movements and licensing of firearms across
Australia. WA firearm licence holders who need assistance with their transitional
licence arrangements, their myID or alternative methods should contact the WA
police firearms licence holders hotline on 1300 894 474.
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police. I note that the top of the question is dated
Thursday 24 October 2024, but the member did submit it today so it should be
today's date.
(1)–(2) The Firearms
Act 2024 emphasises public safety by regulating firearm possession and
use, including for firearm owners. It mandates that the Western Australia Police
Force provide the highest level of security for personally identifying
information of firearms and licence holders, ensuring access only to authorised
individuals. Section 160(4) of the act allows the commissioner to approve the
manner and form in which any applicant or licence holder can verify their
identity. The myID digital identity has been selected to ensure that the
highest level of identity management is available, and WA police has been
approved as a relying partner for this purpose.
The firearms portal will ensure
firearm security and management statewide, helping us to fulfil commitments to
the National Firearms Register. The firearms portal aims to facilitate a
consistent national approach, including agreements for the National Firearms
Register. This online functionality is intended to provide near real-time
information on the location, movements and licensing of firearms across
Australia. WA firearm licence holders who need assistance with their transitional
licence arrangements, their myID or alternative methods should contact the WA
police firearms licence holders hotline on 1300 894 474.
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