❓ Hon Dr Steve Thomas asks about the delegation of authority in granting or refusing gun licenses, specifically regarding qualifications, appointment process, and number of delegates. The Minister provides some information but withholds details due to operational sensitivities.
AnsweredQoN 530Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Firearms—Owner health checks
530. Hon Dr Steve Thomas to the minister representing the Minister for Police:
I refer to my
question without notice 97 of 30 April 2025 seeking clarification on the decision-making
process in the granting or refusal of an applicant's submission for a gun licence.
(1) Aside from the
Commissioner of Police, who is deemed an approved delegate in the decision-making process?
(2) What skill set or qualifications are
inherently required for appointment as an approved delegate?
(3) Who appoints an approved delegate, what is the
process of appointment and is there a timeframe apportioned to the term of
appointment?
(4) As at 16 August 2025, how many approved
delegates have been appointed to this critical decision-making role, and who
are they?
530. Hon Dr Steve Thomas to the minister representing the Minister for Police:
I refer to my
question without notice 97 of 30 April 2025 seeking clarification on the decision-making
process in the granting or refusal of an applicant's submission for a gun licence.
(1) Aside from the
Commissioner of Police, who is deemed an approved delegate in the decision-making process?
(2) What skill set or qualifications are
inherently required for appointment as an approved delegate?
(3) Who appoints an approved delegate, what is the
process of appointment and is there a timeframe apportioned to the term of
appointment?
(4) As at 16 August 2025, how many approved
delegates have been appointed to this critical decision-making role, and who
are they?
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)–(2) Sworn police officers who hold the
rank of sergeant or above attached to the firearms licensing enforcement division
of the Western Australia Police Force.
(3)–(4) The Commissioner of Police
appoints delegates via a signed instrument of delegation as per section 16 of
the Firearms Act 2024 . This delegation
remains current until revoked by the Commissioner of Police. Due to operational
sensitivities, the information relating to those officers will not be
disclosed.
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police.
(1)–(2) Sworn police officers who hold the
rank of sergeant or above attached to the firearms licensing enforcement division
of the Western Australia Police Force.
(3)–(4) The Commissioner of Police
appoints delegates via a signed instrument of delegation as per section 16 of
the Firearms Act 2024 . This delegation
remains current until revoked by the Commissioner of Police. Due to operational
sensitivities, the information relating to those officers will not be
disclosed.
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