Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
Yesterday both the Labor and Liberal parties supported expanding shooters’ access to public land, a frightening sop to the gun lobby. Today your Police minister has backed in that same sentiment. More disturbing, silencers and semi-automatic weapons were even discussed as options for hunting. Let’s be clear, these would be a big step backwards on community safety and would violate the National Firearms Agreement. Will you rule this out or do you want to be the premier who weakens Tasmania’s gun laws?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the honourable member for the question. It’s about ensuring we get the balance right for the environment, in this case the substantive debate and discussion yesterday was about deer management, which is, as you know, very complex with a whole range of stakeholders. How do I know it’s complex? I was minister for prime industries trying to herd all the cats for years and there are a lot of different opinions when it comes to deer management in terms of the hunting fraternity, the people who want to have the meat for sale, deer farmers, a whole range of stakeholders, so I welcome the discussion from Mr Di Falco in trying to navigate what is very complex.
I agree with the honourable member, Ms Badger, when she talks about deer as a biosecurity issue. I know you’re surprised I agree with you, I know that, but it is a biosecurity issue, and there are various stakeholders we need to work through.
I wish 100 years ago we didn’t introduce blackberries, rabbits, gorse, crack willows – all these invasive species, including deer. As a fundamental believer in strong biosecurity practice, that was not good biosecurity practice because now we’re paying for it in many ways, whether it’s deer, weeds, crack willows – all the areas that I’ve just mentioned. It is important we try and navigate our way through this in terms of deer management and also listen to all stakeholders. I believe you are not incorrect, honourable leader, in linking the two when it comes to firearms and strong deer management in the context that you have had question.
The government is committed to focusing on and reducing firearms crime and violence in Tasmania. Incidents involving firearms are very concerning, and Tasmania Police is committed to ensuring illegal firearms activities are eliminated in our communities and we make no apologies for being tough on gun crime.
The Firearms Amendment (Community Safety) Act 2023 commenced in the back end of 2024, with a number of changes now implemented. These amendments target people who threaten Tasmania’s safety through their illegal or unsafe behaviour with firearms and we’re also ensuring that police have the authority to stamp out any criminal activity and penalise those who threaten our safety.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Dr WOODRUFF – My question was not about deer management; it was about the use of silencers and semi-automatic weapons. I’m sure you would remember the 2018 firearm inquiry that heard overwhelming evidence from doctors, from farmers and from victim‑survivors of gun violence that we should strengthen the firearms agreement and hold to the National Firearms Agreement. Will you commit to no weakening of the National Firearms Agreement, including any allowance for silencers and semiautomatic weapons in Tasmania?
Mr ROCKLIFF – There are national firearms laws which we don’t intend to weaken at all. The context of suppressors is about the control of game and allowing farmers the tools to control ‑
Dr Woodruff – That is in violation of the National Firearms Agreement.
The SPEAKER – Order, Dr Woodruff.
Mr ROCKLIFF – It is about balance and having the tools to be able to –
Dr Woodruff – Balance doesn’t mean breaking.
The SPEAKER – Dr Woodruff, that’s the second time you’ve interjected. I ask that the Premier be heard.
Mr ROCKLIFF – It’s about balance when it comes to allowing farmers – through discussion, and there’s a lot of discussion to have within this context – the tools to protect their crops and this is one such tool in terms of suppressors, but we remain steadfastly committed to the integrity of the National Firearms Agreement.
