❓ Hon James Hayward questions the Minister for Police regarding a media conference involving the firing of a .50 calibre rifle at the Pinjar rifle range, focusing on risk mitigation and accountability. The Minister deflects responsibility.
AnsweredQoN 226Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
POLICE — FIREARM
OWNERSHIP
226. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer to the media conference held
at the Pinjar rifle range on 22 March 2022.
(1) Can the
minister confirm one of the risk mitigation strategies for the firing of the
.50 calibre rifle was to make this a one-off event that was not to be repeated;
and, if so, how did that reduce risk to persons and property on the day of the
event?
(2) Who was
ultimately accountable for the media conference and for making the decision to
proceed with the event despite some qualified experts expressing safety
concerns?
(3) Will the
minister table all communications between the minister's office and WA
police that relate to the media event in question; and, if not, why not?
OWNERSHIP
226. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer to the media conference held
at the Pinjar rifle range on 22 March 2022.
(1) Can the
minister confirm one of the risk mitigation strategies for the firing of the
.50 calibre rifle was to make this a one-off event that was not to be repeated;
and, if so, how did that reduce risk to persons and property on the day of the
event?
(2) Who was
ultimately accountable for the media conference and for making the decision to
proceed with the event despite some qualified experts expressing safety
concerns?
(3) Will the
minister table all communications between the minister's office and WA
police that relate to the media event in question; and, if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following information has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police.
(1) The Western Australia Police Force advises: yes,
with a strategy used in combination with other mitigating safety
measures recommended by a highly trained and qualified military and civilian
firearms instructor, range safety officer with extensive experience in the use
of .50 calibre firearms.
(2) The WA Police Force.
(3) As advised to
the honourable member yesterday, as the Minister for Police I did not have
involvement in the approvals process for this demonstration. Therefore, there
are no communications to be tabled.
some notice of the question. The following information has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police.
(1) The Western Australia Police Force advises: yes,
with a strategy used in combination with other mitigating safety
measures recommended by a highly trained and qualified military and civilian
firearms instructor, range safety officer with extensive experience in the use
of .50 calibre firearms.
(2) The WA Police Force.
(3) As advised to
the honourable member yesterday, as the Minister for Police I did not have
involvement in the approvals process for this demonstration. Therefore, there
are no communications to be tabled.
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