With just 10 days left before the WA Firearms Act Voluntary Buyback Scheme closes, and with a mere fraction of the allocated $63 million spent, The Nationals WA are urgently calling on the Cook Labor Government to extend the scheme.
Leader Shane Love MLA has condemned the Government for seeking to close the buyback on August 31, given the widespread confusion amongst firearms owners around the new laws, which aren’t set to take effect early 2025.
“So far, just $8.3 million has been paid out to firearms owners, leaving most of the $63 million fund untouched,” Mr Love said.
Mr Love pointed out that many firearms owners are still in the dark about how the new laws will affect them, given the regulations for the new Firearms Act were yet to be drafted.
“If the Police Minister is serious about removing up to 90,000 firearms, and not just using the buyback scheme as a platform for his media stunts, he must extend the scheme until the full details of the new laws are clear,” Mr Love said.
“Many licensed firearms owners are particularly concerned about the new property Written Authority scheme and what limits will be imposed and require this information to make an informed decision around surrendering their firearms.
“Pressuring them into giving up their firearms – which may be an important part of their lifestyles or livelihoods – without providing them with accurate information is no way to encourage confidence in the new laws.
“The Minister should keep the scheme open for up to 12 months, allowing licensed firearms owners to participate in the scheme when their license is due for renewal.”
Mr Love also highlighted confusion around ‘pest density distribution reports’ from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) which would be used to guide the number of Written Authorities – the new term for the property letter scheme.
“WA Police have claimed the number of Written Authorities per property will be determined using pest density reports from DPIRD,” Mr Love said.
“However, DPIRD staff have stated that these reports don’t exist and that they don’t maintain records on pest density distribution.
“When the Minister for Agriculture was directly asked about this contradiction, she claimed to be unaware of her own Government’s communications, and failed to answer basic questions or table these reports in Parliament when given an opportunity to do so.
“The Nationals are demanding clarity on whether these reports exist and, if they do, when they will be made available to landowners.”
Mr Love reiterated The Nationals’ strong opposition to Labor’s firearms laws and confirmed the Party’s commitment to disallowing the regulations from taking effect if elected to Government in 2025.
“The Nationals WA are the only party standing up against Labor’s flawed firearms laws, and continue to call on the Government to provide much-needed clarity for firearms owners.”
