Nationals WA Agriculture spokesman Colin de Grussa MLC has criticised the Labor Government for failing to act to operational changes made by WA Police limiting the number of carriers approved to transport firearms and ammunition.
In August WA Police notified firearm licence holders of the 11 approved carriers, which no longer included Australia Post.
Mr de Grussa said that this decision failed to take into account firearm users across regional WA, including farmers and pastoralists.
“Australia Post provided a secure, affordable service for transporting firearms and ammunition across WA,” Mr de Grussa said.
“It is now cost prohibitive for firearms to be transported around our regions, and is having a severe impact on regional businesses and farming enterprises, some of whom are now expected to pay thousands of dollars in transportation fees.
“This issue was bought to the attention of the Minister for Police months ago, and she has failed to act.”
Until the policy changes approving the 11 carriers, Australia Post transported firearms via registered post throughout WA, and continue to provide this cost-effective service across the rest of Australia.
Mr de Grussa has questioned the Minister for Police in Parliament, who said that the government are continuing to work to resolve this important issue.
Mr de Grussa said that the Government were not moving quickly enough to resolve this issue.
“The Government have completely failed to recognise that the State doesn’t end within a 30 kilometre radius of Perth.
“Some of these firearms users are located thousands of kilometres from the city, and these restrictions mean it is completely cost prohibitive for them to transport firearms and ammunition.
“This change in policy is causing massive losses and financial hardship in regional WA, and we will continue to pressure the Government to reach a solution before regional businesses have to close their doors.”
