WA Police Minister Paul Papalia denies request for more consultation on gun reforms

WA Police Minister Paul Papalia has ruled out extending public consultation on the Cook Government’s proposed gun law reforms amid growing calls for the November 14 deadline to be pushed back. An e-petition launched by the WA Nationals and the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia on October 27 had gained more than 5000 signatures when Countryman went to print on October 31. Opposition Leader Shane Love and Pastoralists and Graziers Association of WA president Tony Seabrook have also called for an extension until Christmas. A consultation paper was released on October 17, prompting concerns one month was not long enough for farmers in the middle of harvest to properly review the document and provide feedback. “This is an unbelievably difficult time for most farmers to engage at any level,” Mr Seabrook said. “Those guys are so focused on harvest that we have asked that the minister extend the period to perhaps Christmas, just to give people time to work their way through it.” Agricultural Region MLC Colin de Grussa, who sponsored the SSAA petition, said the “rapid consultation window” also failed to provide an opportunity for feedback from WA’s 90,000 registered firearm owners. “The firearm reform paper is a complex, 62-page document which proposes significant changes to all aspects of the licensing and regulatory regime,” he said. “This is the most extensive change to WA’s firearm reforms in 50 years, yet firearm owners are being given less than a month to make a submission regarding these detailed and complicated changes.” Mr de Grussa said many elements of the reforms — which will be introduced in Parliament early next year — would likely be supported by The Nationals, but more time was needed. “We are not going to see this legislation before the new year, so there is absolutely no need to rush the consultation process,” he said. SSAA WA branch president Paul Fitzgerald said the proposed overhaul had been drafted with “very little consultation or discussion with the sector”. Mr Papalia denied this, telling Countryman WA Police had held more than 100 meetings and workshops with “individuals, relevant stakeholders and interested parties”. Among them were the SSAA, WA Firearms Community Alliance, WA Pistol Association, WA Rifle Association, WA Clay Target Association, and the WA Firearms Traders Association. “In addition to the years of engagement already carried out, this consultation paper is one further opportunity to comment on the proposed laws,” Mr Papalia said. “Public consultation sessions were held in Albany, Kalgoorlie, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Broome, Karratha, Kununurra, Hillarys, Guildford, Bunbury, Busselton, Northam, Narrogin, Rockingham and Cannington.” Mr Papalia also pointed to the establishment of the Primary Producers Advisory Board, which he said was “heavily involved throughout the creation of the proposed new laws”. The PPAB incldudes representatives from the WA Vegetable Growers Association, PGA, WAFarmers, the Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association and Wines of WA. A spokesman for Mr Papalia confirmed there was no plan to extend the consultation deadline.