OPINION: Why I moved to disallow Labor’s firearms regulations

This month in Parliament, I stood up for regional Western Australians and moved to disallow the Cook Labor Government’s Firearms Regulations 2024. These regulations represent the latest chapter in a chaotic and deeply disrespectful process of firearm reforms under the Cook Labor government, and even more concerning, an outright contempt for law-abiding regional people. During the election campaign I listened. I listened to frustrated farmers, confused police, gun club owners, hobbyists and collectors. I listened to pest controllers and wildlife carers. And I heard that the new regulations were taking away their tools of trade, their recreation and wasting their time. I made a commitment to the people of Western Australia to move this motion, and on May 21, I did just that. Despite the thousands of emails, letters, phone calls and messages. Despite the representations and requests made to the former minister and his office, Labor have not listened. The rushed and confusing rollout of these firearms regulations days before Christmas on December 21 (in the middle of harvest for many) caused widespread uncertainty. Let us be clear – this disallowance motion was not a call to abandon firearms reform. The Nationals WA supports sensible evidence-based firearms laws that promote public safety and ensure accountability. But these regulations are not sensible. Instead, we see them as punitive. They have been poorly communicated, and in many cases, seem to be impossible to comply with. Labor’s legislation ignored key Law Reform Commission recommendations, imposed more red tape, and does nothing meaningful to improve community safety. Nationals WA MPs have a deep understanding of the requirements to own firearms across our state. We know that they are the tools of trade in agriculture and biosecurity. In many parts of the state, they are essential to the day-to-day operations of businesses and daily life. Only a few months ago I met with wildlife recovery volunteers after a particularly large fire in Cervantes, and they explained how they rely on farmers to help euthanise animals in pain and distress. How will they access that service in the future? We know that the new Western Australia firearms portal has several critical failure points. Having a myID is the first stonewall for thousands of frustrated users, as is having a reliable internet connection! It is laughable that this government seems unaware connectivity in regional WA is a luxury not a given. In a survey recently conducted by our office, 85 per cent of firearms owners actively attempting to comply said they did not understand the new regulations. We know that the new mandatory health assessments have already under-resourced GP’s under pressure, with some refusing to conduct them at all due to fears of legal implications and strain on doctor-patient confidentiality. At a time when we are encouraging openness about mental health, particularly amongst rural men, I am more than a bit concerned this requirement will shut down honest conversation before it begins. We know from the thousands of emails and calls to Nationals WA offices that the Minister for Police has refused to assist. It is quite shameful to hear of the lack of support that has been given to those who are trying to comply with the law. While the Cook-Labor Government was too arrogant to pass my disallowance motion in the Lower House, I welcome that on Wednesday the Upper House was successful in passing that the Firearms Act 2024 be referred to the Legislation Committee. That this committee will now examine the rollout of the controversial regulations and report its findings to Parliament within three months is a step in the right direction and we thank our fellow Opposition parties for standing with us in support of this referral. It demonstrates a shared commitment to holding the Government to account. It is now incumbent on the Government to act responsibly and halt implementation of the regulations until the committee’s review is complete. The Nationals WA will not back down. We will keep fighting for a fair go for regional firearm owners — and we will stand up for your right to be treated with dignity and common sense. Our efforts to highlight the impracticable and unworkable nature of the regulations will not stop. Let’s hope this new minister is listening. Shane Love is the leader of the WA Nationals.