❓ Hon Nick Goiran asks about GPs refusing firearm licence health assessments and the weight given to these assessments. The Minister for Police states no direct reports received and highlights ongoing engagement with RACGP.
AnsweredQoN 211Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Firearms—Owner health checks
211. Hon Nick Goiran to the minister
representing the Minister for Police:
I refer to the
article published in The West Australian on
14 May 2025 which reports that doctors are "refusing to conduct the health
assessments people need to get a firearm licence".
(1) Is the minister aware of any refusals by GPs
to conduct these health assessments?
(2) Has the WA Police Force received reports from
applicants who have been unable to obtain the required medical certification
due to these refusals?
(3) Has the minister discussed this matter with
the Minister for Health?
(4) Given recent government statements that GPs
are "not decision-makers" and that these health assessments form only
one part of the decision-making process, what weight will be given to a health
assessment in determining whether a person is a fit and proper person to hold a
firearm licence?
211. Hon Nick Goiran to the minister
representing the Minister for Police:
I refer to the
article published in The West Australian on
14 May 2025 which reports that doctors are "refusing to conduct the health
assessments people need to get a firearm licence".
(1) Is the minister aware of any refusals by GPs
to conduct these health assessments?
(2) Has the WA Police Force received reports from
applicants who have been unable to obtain the required medical certification
due to these refusals?
(3) Has the minister discussed this matter with
the Minister for Health?
(4) Given recent government statements that GPs
are "not decision-makers" and that these health assessments form only
one part of the decision-making process, what weight will be given to a health
assessment in determining whether a person is a fit and proper person to hold a
firearm licence?
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.
(1)–(3) The Minister for Police has not
received any direct reports from applicants who have been unable to obtain the
required medical certification. During the development of these reforms, a
working group comprising WA police, the Mental Health Commission, the Royal
Australian College of General Practitioners and other stakeholders was
established to determine the most effective process to deliver these reforms.
Engagement between the RACGP and the state government is ongoing to ensure that
general practitioners have the necessary support and guidance required to carry
out these assessments.
(4) The intent is that the completed health
assessment form provides information for consideration by the Commissioner of
Police—the regulator—in the overall picture of a person's fit
and proper status to obtain or retain a licence.
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police.
(1)–(3) The Minister for Police has not
received any direct reports from applicants who have been unable to obtain the
required medical certification. During the development of these reforms, a
working group comprising WA police, the Mental Health Commission, the Royal
Australian College of General Practitioners and other stakeholders was
established to determine the most effective process to deliver these reforms.
Engagement between the RACGP and the state government is ongoing to ensure that
general practitioners have the necessary support and guidance required to carry
out these assessments.
(4) The intent is that the completed health
assessment form provides information for consideration by the Commissioner of
Police—the regulator—in the overall picture of a person's fit
and proper status to obtain or retain a licence.
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