❓ Rick Mazza questions the Minister for Police regarding changes to the policy on property permission letters for firearms license applications, specifically concerning the validity period and consultation process. The Minister denies any recent policy change, stating the 12-month expiry was implemented earlier and no further changes are planned before the Law Reform Commission's report.
AnsweredQoN 1290Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FIREARMS — PROPERTY PERMISSION LETTERS
1290. Hon RICK MAZZA to the
Attorney General representing the Minister for Police:
I refer to my question without notice 1264 and the minister's
response of 17 November 2015. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 11A(2)(c)
of the Firearms Act 1973, it is indisputable that it has been a longstanding
practice of the firearms licensing division to accept firearms licence
applications supported by property permission letters signed by managers of
properties.
(1) Is the
minister aware of the property/primary producer advice pro forma document that
carries the WA � Police and Australia Post
logos and states that this permission is granted whilst I remain an
owner/manager of the abovementioned property or it is otherwise withdrawn?
(2) Is the minister
aware that in the firearms consultative working group meeting of 23 October 2015
members were informed that, in line with the Law Reform Commission's
discussion paper, property letters would be valid for only 12 months from the
date of issue; and, if so —
(a) does the minister agree that
this is another change in policy; and
(b) what other
changes to the Firearms Act, regulations and policy will be implemented in
accordance with the discussion paper ahead of the Law Reform Commission's
final report?
(3) I ask the minister again —
(a) when did the change of policy
take place;
(b) who was consulted regarding
the change of policy; and
(c) why was the policy changed?
1290. Hon RICK MAZZA to the
Attorney General representing the Minister for Police:
I refer to my question without notice 1264 and the minister's
response of 17 November 2015. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 11A(2)(c)
of the Firearms Act 1973, it is indisputable that it has been a longstanding
practice of the firearms licensing division to accept firearms licence
applications supported by property permission letters signed by managers of
properties.
(1) Is the
minister aware of the property/primary producer advice pro forma document that
carries the WA � Police and Australia Post
logos and states that this permission is granted whilst I remain an
owner/manager of the abovementioned property or it is otherwise withdrawn?
(2) Is the minister
aware that in the firearms consultative working group meeting of 23 October 2015
members were informed that, in line with the Law Reform Commission's
discussion paper, property letters would be valid for only 12 months from the
date of issue; and, if so —
(a) does the minister agree that
this is another change in policy; and
(b) what other
changes to the Firearms Act, regulations and policy will be implemented in
accordance with the discussion paper ahead of the Law Reform Commission's
final report?
(3) I ask the minister again —
(a) when did the change of policy
take place;
(b) who was consulted regarding
the change of policy; and
(c) why was the policy changed?
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the
Minister for Police I thank the member for some notice of the question.
(1) The
template letter for property permission is available for downloading on the WA
Police website. Approximately nine months ago it was identified a number of
template letters received by WA Police had been altered by some authors to
include ''owner/manager'', not ''owner'', within
the letter. The � current document on the
WA Police website is now protected and cannot be altered.
(2) (a) The
expiry of property/primary producer advice after 12 months was implemented by
the delegated approvals officer on 8 May 2014. The Firearm Consultative Working
Group meeting held on 23 October 2015 discussed this matter and there were no
issues identified at that meeting.
(b) No changes
to policy will be made until the finalisation of the Law Reform Commission
review.
(3) (a) The
policy has not changed. The requirement for written permission from the owner
is covered under section 11A(2)(c) of the Firearms Act 1973.
(b)–(c) Not applicable.
Minister for Police I thank the member for some notice of the question.
(1) The
template letter for property permission is available for downloading on the WA
Police website. Approximately nine months ago it was identified a number of
template letters received by WA Police had been altered by some authors to
include ''owner/manager'', not ''owner'', within
the letter. The � current document on the
WA Police website is now protected and cannot be altered.
(2) (a) The
expiry of property/primary producer advice after 12 months was implemented by
the delegated approvals officer on 8 May 2014. The Firearm Consultative Working
Group meeting held on 23 October 2015 discussed this matter and there were no
issues identified at that meeting.
(b) No changes
to policy will be made until the finalisation of the Law Reform Commission
review.
(3) (a) The
policy has not changed. The requirement for written permission from the owner
is covered under section 11A(2)(c) of the Firearms Act 1973.
(b)–(c) Not applicable.
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