Firearms consultative committee disbandment cause for concern

Labor is greatly concerned by the Liberals decision to disband the Firearms Consultative Committee after only two meetings, and while legislation remains in draft form.

The Minister has already disregarded the strong advice of his Police Commissioner. How can Tasmanians have faith that the Government is committed to a genuine consultation when he’s turning his back on experts in the field after only two meetings?

When every other state is leaning into consultative mechanisms like this to help develop safe firearm reforms, why is Tasmania running away from it?

The disbandment of the consultative committee follows the Minister failing to rule out during Estimates that the Tasmanian Liberals had been influenced by the powerful gun lobby, or rule out accepting future donations from it.

At a time when it seems like there’s a shooting or a gun theft in the news every other week, Premier Rockliff and the Liberals want unlimited guns in the community.  

The Liberals are continuing to place their own political interest above the safety of Tasmanians and Tasmanian police officers.

Labor does not support that, and Tasmanians don’t support that either.

We look forward to working with the Parliament to deliver practical reforms that improve community safety while respecting the legitimate needs of primary producers, sports shooters, and recreational hunters.