❓ Question regarding the safety and approval process of a .50 calibre rifle demonstration at the Pinjar rifle range, specifically whether the Minister was aware of safety concerns. The Minister deflects responsibility to WA Police and expert personnel.
AnsweredQoN 196Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
POLICE — FIREARM OWNERSHIP
196. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer to documents obtained by the
National Shooting Council via a freedom of information request.
(1) Can the
minister confirm that the Pinjar rifle range is not rated to allow the firing
of .50 calibre rifles and that the minister was aware of this prior to the
press conference?
(2) Can the
minister confirm that a risk assessment was conducted by Western Australia
Police Force in relation to firing a .50 calibre rifle at the Pinjar rifle
range for a photo opportunity?
(3) If yes to
(2), can the minister confirm that the risk assessment clearly stated that a SASR
Warrant Officer Class 1 advised that the proposed media stunt could ''pose
serious risk to property and persons''?
(4) Why did the
minister proceed with this media event at a location where it was possibly
unsafe to do so based on expert opinions
from the TRG, SASR and RAAF, and that required a no�fly zone to be established by the RAAF?
196. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer to documents obtained by the
National Shooting Council via a freedom of information request.
(1) Can the
minister confirm that the Pinjar rifle range is not rated to allow the firing
of .50 calibre rifles and that the minister was aware of this prior to the
press conference?
(2) Can the
minister confirm that a risk assessment was conducted by Western Australia
Police Force in relation to firing a .50 calibre rifle at the Pinjar rifle
range for a photo opportunity?
(3) If yes to
(2), can the minister confirm that the risk assessment clearly stated that a SASR
Warrant Officer Class 1 advised that the proposed media stunt could ''pose
serious risk to property and persons''?
(4) Why did the
minister proceed with this media event at a location where it was possibly
unsafe to do so based on expert opinions
from the TRG, SASR and RAAF, and that required a no�fly zone to be established by the RAAF?
AnswerView source ↗
The following information has been
provided by the Minister for Police —
As the Minister for Police, I did not
have involvement in the approvals process for this demonstration. It was
rightly organised by expert personnel through the Western Australia Police
Force.
The Western Australia Police Force
advises —
(1) The West
Australian Rifle Association—WARA—Pinjar rifle range is an
approved complex for the purpose of section 8(1)(m) of the Firearms Act 1973
and section 6(3) of the Firearms Regulations 1974. Use of the WARA Pinjar rifle
range was subject of a special range approval under specific conditions on the
day of the firearm demonstration in question.
(2) A risk
assessment was undertaken for the purpose of the new firearm legislation
announcement and a demonstration related to firearms.
(3) The risk
assessment was undertaken by a highly trained and qualified military and
civilian firearms instructor and range safety officer with extensive experience
in the use of .50 calibre firearms.
(4) The
demonstration was conducted with the appropriate mitigation strategies and
legal approval to ensure the safe operation of the firearm at all times.
provided by the Minister for Police —
As the Minister for Police, I did not
have involvement in the approvals process for this demonstration. It was
rightly organised by expert personnel through the Western Australia Police
Force.
The Western Australia Police Force
advises —
(1) The West
Australian Rifle Association—WARA—Pinjar rifle range is an
approved complex for the purpose of section 8(1)(m) of the Firearms Act 1973
and section 6(3) of the Firearms Regulations 1974. Use of the WARA Pinjar rifle
range was subject of a special range approval under specific conditions on the
day of the firearm demonstration in question.
(2) A risk
assessment was undertaken for the purpose of the new firearm legislation
announcement and a demonstration related to firearms.
(3) The risk
assessment was undertaken by a highly trained and qualified military and
civilian firearms instructor and range safety officer with extensive experience
in the use of .50 calibre firearms.
(4) The
demonstration was conducted with the appropriate mitigation strategies and
legal approval to ensure the safe operation of the firearm at all times.
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