Current News

News filed between 1 January and 31 December 2008 can be seen here.
News filed between 1 January and 31 December 2007 can be seen here.
News filed between 1 January and 31 December 2006 can be seen here.
News filed between 1 January and 31 December 2005 can be seen here.
News filed from 2004 and before can be seen here.

Photos from the SHOT Expo
- updated 28 May 2009

Here is a brief selection of pics from the 2009 Shot Expo for those who couldn't make it:
SSAA President, Bob Cooper,
keeping the crowd up to date
on what is at the event		 The Field & Game stand General merchandise
The massive queue of people
lining up to get in		 VAPA's indoor range at the
show		 Busy trading at the Clayton
Firearms stall
More of the crowd checking
out what is on display
Plenty to choose from NSW MP, Roy Smith with FGA's
Rod Drew

Back from the SHOT Expo
- updated 25 May 2009

It's been a tiring few days, but we're back from the SHOT Expo - and well worth the CFCV having a stand there.

Perched on a corner stall, we were run off our feet with enquiries from shooters interested in what we are doing for the 2010 State Election - thanks to those who showed and interest and those who helped us through the two day event.

Interestingly, we were stationed opposite the NSW Game Council's stand which demonstrates to us what is possible in Victoria in terms of government support for the shooting sports.

It was a great event for the shooting sports, bringing a wide range of shooting interests and organisations together under the one roof.

There was plenty of new hardware on sale, and as with last time, a lot of interest in the two indoor shooting ranges run by VAPA.

Congratulations to Bob Cooper, President of the SSAA, and his helpers for what was a great event.

We're already looking forward to the next one.

We'll be posting photos from the event on this page in the next couple of days.

Merlino picks out pistol clubs
- updated 6 May 2009

Sports Minister James Merlino, made an interesting reference to pistol clubs in Parliament yesteday.

This is what he said in the context of the Budget announcements:

The Brumby government acted swiftly and effectively to ensure that every club devastated by Black Saturday can and will rebuild. The Premier announced a $3 million Community Sports Recovery Fund in partnership with the Rudd federal government, offering individual grants for immediate rebuilding and repatriation works.

....

From pony clubs to pistol clubs, no affected sport will miss out.

We're still trying to work out if this reference was deliberate...

Winter 2009 newsletter out now
- updated 28 April 2009

Our latest newsletter has just been released.

Read about the opening of the 2009 Victorian duck season by clicking here.

Finn raises LSD bullying concerns
- updated 14 April 2009

On 1 April, Upper House MP, Bernie Finn, told parliament about concerns about bullying by management of the LSD.

Here is what he said:

I wish to raise a matter for the attention of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. It concerns a situation which is worrying in the licensing services division (LSD) of Victoria Police. LSD, as it is known within the police force, covers the firearms and securities industry.

A situation has come to my attention. It occurred on, during or around October 2008. It involves a petition which was signed by some 20 LSD staff. This petition concerned a no-confidence view of the management of LSD. This petition was presented to senior management of Victoria Police, including the then Chief Commissioner of Police. That was where the problem started. At some stage around October last year the petition disappeared from the drawer where it was kept.

What followed can only be described as a campaign of intimidation directed at the signatories. That campaign continued until all signatures were withdrawn from the petition. I am sure the house can see the concerns and worries that would have been caused by those who signed the petition and who would have known about it in that particular division. It is unhelpful for work practices of the licensing services division of Victoria Police. It is even stranger when one considers that up until midnight last night, the officer in charge of LSD was also the officer in charge of the ethical standards section of the police force -- that of course is Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius.

I ask the minister -- I am aware he knows of the incident -- to conduct an urgent ministerial inquiry into this incident.

I ask him to include in this inquiry the role of the former Chief Commissioner of Police, the current chief commissioner and an assistant commissioner, Luke Cornelius, in what can only be described as an act of bullying and intimidation within the senior section of Victoria Police.

Tougher action needed on duck activists
- updated 12 April 2009

Field and Game Australia has just put out this release, following criminal damage by duck activists.

Shooters have been incredibly patient and need real action on these people now.

MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release 12 April 2009
Hunters call for tougher action on duck activists

The increase in illegal activities by anti duck hunting activists in the Gippsland area over Easter were deliberately designed to create a dangerous incident, even if it meant a human life was put at risk!

Field and Game Australia now want to see tougher action taken against the extremists, many of whom are well known to authorities.

Field and Game Australia CEO, Rod Drew said "These extremists are deliberately trying to get in the face of hunters and provoke a situation that could ultimately lead to a human safety incident,"

Mr Drew said "A small group of activists continue to flout the law and just this weekend provoked hunters by standing in their decoys, sunk a boat with an axe, stole decoys and vandalized blinds,"

"This follows on from other incidents reported on opening weekend when hides were destroyed at Clydebank and hunters were unable to access a private property after gate locks were vandalized,"

"It now appears that deliberate provocation of hunters together with theft and destruction of hunting equipment is the modus operandi of these desperate activists" Mr Drew said.

Mr Drew said "It is now time for the Victorian Government to review the Human Safety Regulations under the Wildlife Act and take stronger action against dangerous repeat offenders,"

"Victorian hunters are highly regulated and compliant but are operating under duress from a small group who don't give a toss about the law, their personal safety or indeed the safety of others"

Mr Drew concluded by saying "This type of illegal behavior is not tolerated at any other legitimate event. Imagine the outcry if activists stood on the finish line whilst the Melbourne Cup was being run."

The time for the government to act on these people is here.

RSPCA confirms community support for duck shooting
- updated 31 March 2009

No matter how hard they try, the anti-duck shooting brigade tries to convince the public that duck shooting is not supported - and should therefore be banned.

However nothing helps our cause more when our enemies - in this case the highly political RSPCA - run their own poll that goes our way.

Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! You can just hear the steam coming off Hugh Wirth's forehead ....

Anyway, here are the results at the time of posting:

What do you think about duck hunting?
It's cruel and should be illegal 33%
I don't like it but I don't think it should be illegal 4%
It's OK as long as the hunters are properly skilled 5%
It would be OK if the duck could be killed instantly 2%
I have no problem with hunting animals for sport 57%
Total responses received : 4379

Laurie parades mystery ducks
- updated 24 March 2009

Field and Game Australia has published this release, after Laurie Levy displayed dead ducks outside John Brumby's office, despite the fact he was observed not having 'rescued' any ducks himself over the weekend.

You be the judge....

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate release 23 March 2009

Mr Levy should not be able to Duck the Law.

Melbourne Media, Police and DSE Departmental Officers are being urged to take a very close look at any birds produced by Laurie Levy today.

Field and Game Australia, Executive Officer, Peter Rice said any ducks in Mr Levy’s position should be viewed as having been illegally taken.

“Whatever ducks Mr Levy has have been either taken illegally, or they are road kill or freezer stock,” said Mr Rice.

DSE officers this morning confirmed that the wildlife rescue tent established by Mr Levy at Dowds Morass received no dead or injured birds over the opening weekend.

DSE should confiscate any birds produced and prosecute whoever has them in their possession.

“Duck hunting in Victoria is one of the most highly regulated activities with extremely high rates of compliance,” said Mr Rice.

“Having ducks in you’re possession under circumstances that do not comply with all the duck season rules and regulations can result in very heavy penalties being applied,” said Mr Rice.

“It is time that Mr Levy understood that the days when protesters had free reign to steal ducks, vandalise property and create unseemly displays in city office precincts have gone,” said Mr Rice.

“It’s time he faced the real consequences of his illegal activities,” said Mr Rice.

Field and Game Australia has congratulated all hunters on an orderly and safe opening to the 2009 duck season. Across the state, hunters achieved their bag of two ducks and three wood ducks.

“Duck numbers throughout Victoria are up by about 110% on last year and the bag limit established for the season is perfectly sustainable,” said Mr Rice.

It's up to Laurie now, to explain himself.

Back from duck opening
- updated 22 March 2009

A regular reader kindly drew our attention to this grab from The Age's editorial of 12 February 2009.

I came back from duck opening in Sale yesterday where Laurie and his friends attended, and would like to leave you with these parting thoughts:

Age shows its feathers
- updated 12 March 2009

A regular reader kindly drew our attention to this grab from The Age's editorial of 12 February 2009.

I guess the delay proves no-one reads the paper ....

The Age opposes duck hunting because of the losses to rare species and the cruelty to the one-in-four ducks that are wounded and not retrieved.
Who do you think they use for their authorative comments, I wonder...?

GG breaks ties with shooting
- updated 11 March 2009

The following story appeared in The Age, confirming what has been on the cards for quite some time - the Governor-General deciding against representing the Queen, and pushing her own views by pulling out of being the patrol of the NRAA

Obviously this is an extremely disappointing decision.

G-G opts out of gun patronage
Katharine Murphy, Canberra
February 26, 2009

ROSES, the RSPCA, stamps, rugby union, depression, dinghies and Guides are fine with Governor-General Quentin Bryce — but not guns, even if it's a royal tradition.

The former human rights activist has offended Australia's gun lobby by ditching a long-standing tradition that the Queen's representative be patron of the National Rifle Association of Australia.

The Age has been told that Ms Bryce delivered the rebuff this week via her private secretary, ending months of uncertainty for the NRAA, which requested her patronage last year.

Association chairman John Fitzgerald says his association has been "tarred with a certain brush because we aren't politically correct".

"My emotion is utter disappointment," Mr Fitzgerald said yesterday. "We haven't got anything to do (with the gun lobby) in America — our patron is her majesty the Queen."

Ms Bryce's predecessor at Yarralumla, Major-General Michael Jeffery, was an enthusiastic patron of the NRAA and NSW Governor Marie Bashir is president of its NSW affiliate. Former governor-general Sir William Deane declined patronage in the wake of the Port Arthur massacre in 1996.

The NRAA was concerned about Ms Bryce's position because she had ruffled feathers in Australia's shooting fraternity by eschewing an association with state gun associations while governor of Queensland. She has taken on a range of patronages, from the Australian Philatelic Federation to the National Rose Society of Australia, the RSPCA and the Australian Ballet.

The NRAA wrote to Ms Bryce in an effort to reassure her that Australian organisation had no connection with its high-profile and political American namesake, nor with the sporting shooters lobby in Australia.

"We do have affiliation with the National Rifle Association of Great Britain, which in fact is the forerunner of our type of shooting throughout the world, with particular emphasis on Commonwealth countries," Mr Fitzgerald said in his letter to Ms Bryce.

"Royal patronage commenced with the NRA of Great Britain and subsequently followed in Australia and other Commonwealth countries," the letter said.

"Her majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the patron of the NRA of Great Britain, which has contained an unbroken line of royal patronage since that of Queen Victoria.

"His royal highness the Prince of Wales is the president of the NRA of Great Britain. Our tradition and history is long and proud."

A spokeswoman for the Governor-General declined to comment on the decision.

Obviously very disappointing.

We wonder if the Queen, a person who herself has long supported the shooting sports, knows what her representative is up to!

GCA's comical rant
- updated 24 January 2009

It's pretty easy to ignore the ramblings of groups like Gun Control Australia, but their latest contribution caught our eye. We have reproduced their latest offering below.

You will see:

  • it is apparently outrageous to think that the firearm trade advertises in shooting magazines;
  • how there is apparently a major conspiracy involving shooters, the various state police ministers and the Federal Minister for Home Affairs to 'dupe' the public on shooter safety training; and
  • that shooting apparently offers no physical fitness value. (If you spent a weekend hunting in the bush or a few hours competing at an IPSC or ISSF event, you'd quickly release how wrong that inference is)

Anyway, sit back, and enjoy:

Australian Shooters - Just Pawns in the Gun Sales Game?

It must worry the average Australian to know that the gun trade has become a dominant influence on the so called shooting sports. Its our belief that gun and ammunition manufacturers and traders are primarily interested in profit and that means that they are committed to seeing that more guns and ammunition are sold. We suggest that this infers that they want little or no restrictions on gun and ammunition purchases, i.e. little or no gun laws.

To Gun Control Australia this represents a slow but dangerous change to the aims of the so called sport of shooting. We say so called because a true sport demands superb physical fitness, a contest amongst equals, and an activity which promotes respect for life itself. Does the most common reason to own guns, hunting, promote a contest amongst equals and respect for life? Of course not, thats a joke to hunters - they just like killing. But then guns are designed to kill anyway, so perhaps we shouldnt make a fuss. As for the SSAAs Australian Shooter magazine or Yaffa Publishings Sporting Shooter magazine starting to give even a quarter of their pages to the physical education and fitness training of shooters; well, we suspect it will be a long wait till we see that.

It seems to us that shooting is now largely controlled by the interests of the trade. The SSAAs Australian Shooter magazine has almost 50% of its pages devoted to trade based advertising and promotions. One suspects that this means that the SSAA is dependent on the trades financial support. At the moment a major gun importing group has top position on the SSAAs Australian Shooter magazine website, while an Italian based international arms manufacturer seems to us to have a major interest in SSAA Victoria by the way it has been publicised in ssaavic activities. We believe that the interests of the gun trade have come to dominate the attitudes and values of some of our major shooting groups.

We believe that the increasing opposition to improved shooter safety training by groups like the SSAA probably reflects the increasing influence the trade is having on them. We know that the existing shooter safety training courses are a joke because they are so undemanding and they ensure you pass. We will not embarrass decent shooters by reminding them of the horrific consequences of recent shooter incompetence in outer suburban Melbourne. We will, however, remind the public and Australias shameful police ministers that as few as one in a thousand applicants who take the shooters safety training test actually fail.

The public must remember that passing the shooters safety test will almost certainly entitle you to own many guns legally. Thus the give away shooters safety test is really a massive legal gun give away: and we wonder why shooters are so careless? And, further, we wonder why so many legal guns come onto the black market? The fact is that, in the matter of shooter safety training, the public are being duped by the eight state and territory police ministers as well as the responsible federal minister, Bob Debus.

This trade influence to maximise profit by higher gun sales and to work toward weaker gun laws seems to have encapsulated some shooting organisations. One large gun club talks about getting kids interested in shooting to help maintain the sport: we suspect its really about helping the international gun trade prosper in the future.

(and on it goes.....)

Ok, so we have assurance by Minister Jennings that he will rely on science and advice from the appropriate quarters.

We'll be following this with intense interest.