Leader of The Nationals Shane Love MLA has expressed his disappointment at the Parliamentary Committee report into the Cook Labor Government’s contentious new firearms laws, labelling it a “sanitised and partisan” report that fails to reflect the depth of concern raised by thousands of Western Australians.
Mr Love said the Labor-Greens dominated Committee had largely ignored the overwhelming evidence provided by nearly 3,000 written submissions and two weeks of public hearings.
“This is yet another example of Labor’s contempt for the process of Parliament, law abiding firearms owners, and the people of Western Australia,” Mr Love said.
“While a handful of recommendations are welcome, the report sidesteps the real issues at the heart of these laws – the lack of consultation, the rushed legislative process, and the Government’s continual failure to listen.”
“This report should have happened before the legislation was passed in Parliament, not over a year later.”
Mr Love said from the beginning, the Cook Labor Government had treated the firearms sector with contempt.
“Instead of holding the Government to account for creating these problems, the Committee has confined itself to commenting on the superficial consequences that have followed since the laws took effect in March,” he said.
“If Labor had delivered meaningful consultation and followed proper Parliamentary process, many of these problems could have been avoided altogether.”
Mr Love said it was particularly concerning to see the Committee downplay critical issues raised during the hearings including the lack of consultation with stakeholders, contradictory advice provided by WA Police, the mandatory mental health checks dissuading individuals from seeking help, a portal that is not fit-for-purpose, or licenses for conservation shooters or volunteers to humanely euthanise injured animals.
Mr Love called on the Government to urgently respond to the report’s recommendations, rather than waiting until next year.
“If the Government follows the usual timeline, they won’t have to respond until February 2026. That’s unacceptable. The firearms sector deserves clarity and certainty before the end of the year,” he said.
