❓ Dr. Walker questions the Premier on the apparent discrepancy between the government's stance on firearm parts for military exports versus civilian possession, particularly regarding wooden stocks. The Premier defends the WA Firearms Act's classification of firearm parts.
AnsweredQoN 515Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Firearms Act—Federal government
515. Hon Dr Brian Walker to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I note that in the
last cabinet reshuffle, the Premier dropped his title of Minister for Federal–State
Relations, but given that he retains oversight of his government as a whole, I
refer him to the comments made over the weekend by his colleague the Acting
Prime Minister, Hon Richard Marles MP, in which the Acting PM drew a firm
distinction between "weapons" and "parts of weapons".
(1) Does the Cook
Labor government draw the same distinction between "weapons" and
"parts of weapons" when it comes to military exports to other
countries?
(2) Does the Premier stand by the decision of his
own government here in WA to classify, for example, the wooden stock of a rifle
as "part of a firearm" and therefore illegal to possess without a
valid licence?
(3) If yes to either (1) or (2), can the Premier
explain why there is one law for ordinary citizens here in WA and one for our
governments?
(4) If no to either (1) or (2) and Mr Marles has
made a valid argument that the government accepts, when can we expect to see
revisions to the Firearms Act to reflect the Labor Party's new thinking on this
important issue?
515. Hon Dr Brian Walker to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I note that in the
last cabinet reshuffle, the Premier dropped his title of Minister for Federal–State
Relations, but given that he retains oversight of his government as a whole, I
refer him to the comments made over the weekend by his colleague the Acting
Prime Minister, Hon Richard Marles MP, in which the Acting PM drew a firm
distinction between "weapons" and "parts of weapons".
(1) Does the Cook
Labor government draw the same distinction between "weapons" and
"parts of weapons" when it comes to military exports to other
countries?
(2) Does the Premier stand by the decision of his
own government here in WA to classify, for example, the wooden stock of a rifle
as "part of a firearm" and therefore illegal to possess without a
valid licence?
(3) If yes to either (1) or (2), can the Premier
explain why there is one law for ordinary citizens here in WA and one for our
governments?
(4) If no to either (1) or (2) and Mr Marles has
made a valid argument that the government accepts, when can we expect to see
revisions to the Firearms Act to reflect the Labor Party's new thinking on this
important issue?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. I answer this on behalf of
the Premier.
(1) The Commonwealth governs the export of
military goods and technology from Australia.
(2)–(4) Yes. Under section 6 of the Firearms Act 2024 , a firearm includes any device
or part designed to discharge a projectile, whether assembled or in parts, and
whether complete or incomplete. Under section 14 of the Firearms Act 2024 , a stock is considered a major
firearm part. Additionally, a stock may be a prohibited accessory if it alters
the firearm's function or concealability. A person must hold a licence or
permit to possess any major firearm part, including a stock.
honourable member for some notice of the question. I answer this on behalf of
the Premier.
(1) The Commonwealth governs the export of
military goods and technology from Australia.
(2)–(4) Yes. Under section 6 of the Firearms Act 2024 , a firearm includes any device
or part designed to discharge a projectile, whether assembled or in parts, and
whether complete or incomplete. Under section 14 of the Firearms Act 2024 , a stock is considered a major
firearm part. Additionally, a stock may be a prohibited accessory if it alters
the firearm's function or concealability. A person must hold a licence or
permit to possess any major firearm part, including a stock.
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