❓ Question on Notice regarding the implementation and funding of the WA Police Force's handgun buyback program, raising concerns about delays in reimbursement, compensation discrepancies, and the handling of ammunition.
AnsweredQoN 1888Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to reforms including Buy Back of Pistols and Magazines (category ‘H’ firearm licence holders) first implemented on July 14 2003, would the Minister please advise the following -
(1) Were the West Australian Police Force adequately funded with staff and resources to commence this operation on the given date?
(2) Is the Minister aware of the extended delays – at times up to three months between handing in of pistols and magazines to the time of reimbursement?
(3) Is this not against Government payment policies and in direct contravention of the
Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985
, namely Treasury Instruction number 308 ‘Payment Vouchers’ clause (4) (i)?
(4) Is the Minister aware that most of the Western Australian Licensed Firearms Dealers have still not been paid?
(5) In your opinion, were two offices considered sufficient to handle this State’s evaluations when apparently 18 were required in Victoria?
(6) Has it now been necessary to succour members of the Victorian Police Force to WA in an attempt to clear the congestion that has accumulated over the evaluation details?
(7) Is it a fact that the ‘pay back’ price for magazines and pistols is based on a price list from Canberra?
(8) Is the Minister aware that people handing in handguns are not told the price they will be paid, but instead receive a cheque many months later that does not even itemize what they have been paid for?
(9) Is the Minister aware of the discrepancy between the cost of replacement and the ‘buy back’ prices being offered, especially in relation to specialized magazines needed for IPSC competition?
(10) Is the Minister aware that the new regulations regarding Maximum calibre of .38 actually promoted people to use more potent handguns (.357sig or .38/45) that have higher velocity bullets than the banned .40 or .45?
(11) Is the Minister aware that shooters are made to hand in 50 year old 7 shot .45 Colts and replace them with 10 shot indestructible 9mm Glock’s?
(12) Is the Minister aware that no compensation has been offered for ammunition for these now banned handguns?
(13) Some competitive shooters still have thousands of dollars worth of components to make ammunition for these banned handguns – why should they simply ‘throw it out’?
(14) Is the Minister aware that those shooters are now, through no fault of their own, in possession of unlicensed ammunition?
(15) What is going to happen to all the ammunition that is still out there?
(1) Were the West Australian Police Force adequately funded with staff and resources to commence this operation on the given date?
(2) Is the Minister aware of the extended delays – at times up to three months between handing in of pistols and magazines to the time of reimbursement?
(3) Is this not against Government payment policies and in direct contravention of the
Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985
, namely Treasury Instruction number 308 ‘Payment Vouchers’ clause (4) (i)?
(4) Is the Minister aware that most of the Western Australian Licensed Firearms Dealers have still not been paid?
(5) In your opinion, were two offices considered sufficient to handle this State’s evaluations when apparently 18 were required in Victoria?
(6) Has it now been necessary to succour members of the Victorian Police Force to WA in an attempt to clear the congestion that has accumulated over the evaluation details?
(7) Is it a fact that the ‘pay back’ price for magazines and pistols is based on a price list from Canberra?
(8) Is the Minister aware that people handing in handguns are not told the price they will be paid, but instead receive a cheque many months later that does not even itemize what they have been paid for?
(9) Is the Minister aware of the discrepancy between the cost of replacement and the ‘buy back’ prices being offered, especially in relation to specialized magazines needed for IPSC competition?
(10) Is the Minister aware that the new regulations regarding Maximum calibre of .38 actually promoted people to use more potent handguns (.357sig or .38/45) that have higher velocity bullets than the banned .40 or .45?
(11) Is the Minister aware that shooters are made to hand in 50 year old 7 shot .45 Colts and replace them with 10 shot indestructible 9mm Glock’s?
(12) Is the Minister aware that no compensation has been offered for ammunition for these now banned handguns?
(13) Some competitive shooters still have thousands of dollars worth of components to make ammunition for these banned handguns – why should they simply ‘throw it out’?
(14) Is the Minister aware that those shooters are now, through no fault of their own, in possession of unlicensed ammunition?
(15) What is going to happen to all the ammunition that is still out there?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 May 2004
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works representing the Minister for Police and Emergency Services
Response time
41 days
The Commonwealth Government secured the agreement of the States to implement a handgun buyback following a tragic shooting at Monash University which killed two people and injured another five. It is anticipated that the buyback would reduce the number of particular concealable handguns in the community, akin to the outcome of the 1996 buyback, following the Port Arthur tragedy, which has resulted in a reduction in the number of high-powered weapons in the community. Importantly, the State Government did not restrict itself to the nationally agreed approach and our Bill to implement the buyback and COAG resolutions included other reforms targeting unlicensed handguns. The State Government has also sought an enhanced commitment from the Commonwealth Government to crack down on the importation of illegal weapons and gun parts through Australian ports and airports
The delays by the Police Service in processing compensation payments for surrendered handguns have been extremely disappointing. Senior members of my ministerial staff have met with the responsible Assistant Commissioner on several occasions to seek a more expeditious payment process.
The Police Service determined the process by which it would handle surrendered handguns. Police Stations throughout Western Australia were nominated collection points for the initial surrendered handguns. Upon receipt of firearms at a Police Station, they were transferred to a central location (Ballistics Section – Perth) for recording, evaluation and raising of remuneration/reimbursement. The Police Service advises staffing and funding issues prior to the commencement of the scheme were considered adequate.
The Police Service attributes the delays to the complexity of firearms handed in, including parts and accessories and the delay in completion of a comprehensive reference catalogue of prices upon which to base reimbursement. Responsible West Australia officers have been working overtime and a Commonwealth Evaluation Team is assisting to evaluate the firearms which have been surrendered.
The Police Service advise that due to the complexity of ascertaining the correct compensation to be paid to dealers, the Police Service prioritised individual surrendered firearms. In some instances, dealers surrendered firearms that were outside the terms of reference and were hence ineligible to receive compensation. In the absence of a clearly defined Commonwealth reference catalogue, delays were experienced.
The criteria for the evaluation of surrendered firearms and accessories is benchmarked by the Commonwealth. Values placed upon surrendered items are contained within the Commonwealth Valuation reference catalogue and vary dependant upon the condition of the surrendered firearm.
A target shooter who wishes to licence or retain a handgun of a calibre greater than .38 is required to have the necessary club support for either of the shooting disciplines (metallic silhouette or western action [single action]).
Compensation for ammunition is available to dealers. The Police Service advise Licensed Target Shooters had 9 months to expend ammunition in stock. Should a licensed target shooter have ammunition, the calibre of which they are no longer licensed, they may dispose of the ammunition to another suitably licensed person who has the calibre endorsement, a dealer or to a police station under the ongoing amnesty. Possession of unlicensed ammunition is an offence under the provision of the Firearms Act 1973. Persons in possession of such ammunition need to dispose of it legally.
The delays by the Police Service in processing compensation payments for surrendered handguns have been extremely disappointing. Senior members of my ministerial staff have met with the responsible Assistant Commissioner on several occasions to seek a more expeditious payment process.
The Police Service determined the process by which it would handle surrendered handguns. Police Stations throughout Western Australia were nominated collection points for the initial surrendered handguns. Upon receipt of firearms at a Police Station, they were transferred to a central location (Ballistics Section – Perth) for recording, evaluation and raising of remuneration/reimbursement. The Police Service advises staffing and funding issues prior to the commencement of the scheme were considered adequate.
The Police Service attributes the delays to the complexity of firearms handed in, including parts and accessories and the delay in completion of a comprehensive reference catalogue of prices upon which to base reimbursement. Responsible West Australia officers have been working overtime and a Commonwealth Evaluation Team is assisting to evaluate the firearms which have been surrendered.
The Police Service advise that due to the complexity of ascertaining the correct compensation to be paid to dealers, the Police Service prioritised individual surrendered firearms. In some instances, dealers surrendered firearms that were outside the terms of reference and were hence ineligible to receive compensation. In the absence of a clearly defined Commonwealth reference catalogue, delays were experienced.
The criteria for the evaluation of surrendered firearms and accessories is benchmarked by the Commonwealth. Values placed upon surrendered items are contained within the Commonwealth Valuation reference catalogue and vary dependant upon the condition of the surrendered firearm.
A target shooter who wishes to licence or retain a handgun of a calibre greater than .38 is required to have the necessary club support for either of the shooting disciplines (metallic silhouette or western action [single action]).
Compensation for ammunition is available to dealers. The Police Service advise Licensed Target Shooters had 9 months to expend ammunition in stock. Should a licensed target shooter have ammunition, the calibre of which they are no longer licensed, they may dispose of the ammunition to another suitably licensed person who has the calibre endorsement, a dealer or to a police station under the ongoing amnesty. Possession of unlicensed ammunition is an offence under the provision of the Firearms Act 1973. Persons in possession of such ammunition need to dispose of it legally.
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