Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
[10.15 a.m.]
The Commissioner for Police wrote to minister Ellis on 5 February expressing her strong support for the national firearms reform agenda and a cap on firearms ownership. Did the minister provide this letter to you and, if so, when?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the honourable member for the question. I was well aware of the commissioner’s view on these matters, of course. I have the utmost respect for Commissioner Adams’ leadership and consider Commissioner Adams’ appointment under my premiership as one of the most significant and important appointments I am most proud of. I acknowledge Commissioner Adams’ leadership and the work she is doing when it comes to very difficult circumstances that we’re feeling the effects of across the nation in many areas.
I understand Commissioner Adams’ views on these matters and I respect those views. We take into account views right across our community when it comes to firearms reform and we’ve taken a very careful, measured and consultative approach to our firearms policy. All feedback received, including the commissioner’s, was, of course, considered. Our government is united in its suite of policy changes that will increase community safety by targeting terrorists and other criminals, while ensuring law-abiding Tasmanian farmers, hunters and sporting shooters are not unfairly disadvantaged.
We have listened to the community and very clearly have come up with some very strong measures when it comes to firearms reform and many of those measures are, in fact, nation leading. We are focusing on criminals, first and foremost, as part of the National Firearms Registry, and we have a nation leading buyback system as well.
We have clearly outlined our reform program. Others disagree with some of the direction of that, and it is for others to bring to this parliament amendments to matters that we bring forward with respect to firearms reform. It is an enormously sensitive matter, as you can well appreciate, and one that needs to be very carefully considered. We made a commitment very clearly following the horrific Bondi attacks and murder that –
The SPEAKER – The honourable Premier’s time has expired.
Supplementary Question
Dr WOODRUFF – You said you are aware of the general views of the commissioner, but that is not the same as the specific letter. Cabinet made its decision on firearms reform measures at the end of February. Did you see the letter with the commissioner’s specific detailed comments of her concerns before then? Have you seen the letter?
Mr ROCKLIFF – Yes, I did.
Dr Woodruff – You’ve seen the letter? I asked if he’d seen it before the 5 February Cabinet decision.
The SPEAKER – The honourable Premier has resumed his seat. For the benefit of all members, if a minister or the Premier resumes their seat during a point of order, or resumes their seat to indicate that their answer has concluded, there is no power for me to require them to stand up or come back. You have the opportunities of asking a further question, a supplementary, on Adjournment, or you can move a motion of censure or whatever. In case a minister thinks they can just resume their seat without giving a reply, of course there can be political or other consequences for the minister as well in not answering questions, but if a minister or the Premier resumes their seat, I cannot require them to stand up or come back.
Dr WOODRUFF – Can I ask for a point of clarification? He was walking back to his seat. He hadn’t taken his seat and I was still asking the question.
The SPEAKER – Dr Woodruff, your comments are on Hansard. Again, I cannot require a minister or a premier to stand up and come to the lectern. Of course, you can then raise the political ramifications of that, as you have the right to.
