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.
McIntosh goes into bat for shooters
- updated 21 August 2008
Andrew McIntosh is the opposition spokesman on firearm matters in the Victorian State Parliament. Today, he raised this matter relating to the way our Licensing Services Division is administering the handgun participation requirements:
Mr McINTOSH (Kew) — I have a matter for the attention of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services concerning the licensing services division (LSD) of Victoria Police and its inconsistent, unfair and inequitable application of the handgun target shooting and participation conditions. The action I seek from the minister is to urgently undertake a review of LSD and the way it applies the handgun target shooting and participation conditions with a view of urgently implementing a far more workable regime. Under the national firearms agreement owners of handguns must demonstrate annually a genuine reason for owning a handgun. However, the implementation of this regime is different in each state. In Victoria LSD requires a handgun owner to demonstrate a genuine reason by participating in six club-organised shooting competitions and four attendances at a club's shoots. Failure to meet the conditions leads to cancellations of a licence and a prohibition on re-entry into the sport for 12 months. The problems at LSD manifest themselves in three ways. Firstly, administrative blunders or clerical errors leading to incorrect cancellations of licences; secondly, a complete failure by LSD to recognise the red tape burden placed upon gun clubs and individuals who, with the best intentions in the world, cannot comply because of overly onerous and unreal conditions; thirdly, the bizarre circumstances where evidence of interstate or even international competitions is not recognised and considered as participation. I have recently heard of several dramatic examples where clerical errors by LSD in failing to properly record participation compliance has led to the cancellation of licences, with many handgun owners being forced to sell their guns or place them in storage, at an astronomical cost to themselves, let alone the severe stress that is caused, which in one case led to hospitalisation. Holders of different categories of handguns licences had all handgun licences cancelled, notwithstanding meeting the minimum participation conditions for at least one class of handgun. In some but not all cases, after explaining the situation a licensee was given back their licence for at least one class of handgun. I cannot for the life of me understand why this could not automatically happen in all cases. The non-recognition of interstate and international competition beggars belief. Angie Darby is an Australian Olympic pentathlete, representing Australia currently at the Beijing Olympics. Angie is a Victorian resident; if she is the holder of a Victorian handgun licence, she may well be in danger of losing her licence to own a handgun. According to LSD, she is unable to claim the Olympic Games as evidence of 'a genuine reason' to own a handgun, nor can she claim other international or interstate competitions. This is a disgrace, and I ask the minister to urgently undertake a review.
I would therefore like to suggest that shooters reading this, thank him for raising this matter in parliament, by email to
andrew.mcintosh@parliament.vic.gov.au Potent takes home Olympic bronze Australia's Warren Potent has won bronze in the 50m prone event at Beijing. This is the first ever medal for an Aussie in the rifle shooting at the Olympics. Warren is the world's number 1 in the event and it is also the first time an Aussie has competed in the final at the Olympics in rifle shooting. Seven had prior knowledge of Warren's achievements but still decided to broadcast only part of the final - the last three shots out of the ten shot string and thus they did not cover the whole final. This follows a similar amount of time dedicated to covering the elimination of Michael Diamond in shotgun - confirming our view that Seven failed to cover any of the 15 shooting events properly or in their entirety. However, let's not forget the reason for this post - which is to say, Congratulations Warren! Seven urged to broaden Olympic horizons Channel Seven seems likely to cover only one or two of the fifteen shooting events at the Beijing Olympics despite the opportunity to showcase lower profile sports such as shooting. Click here to see our media release. Channel 7's coverage of shooting sports falls short of mark We appreciate Ch 7 has a difficult job in scheduling events to broadcast for the Olympics, but it could be more even handed in the way it covers the minor sports, particularly shooting. We wait to see how it covers Michael Diamond's recent result, but that does not excuse the fact the broadcaster has ignored rifle and pistol events it could cover if it had competent commentators with knowledge of the sports they are covering. NSW Greens target shooters In a stunning and hypocritical attack on democracy, the Greens in NSW have accused the Shooters Party of striking a cosy relationship with the Labor government in relation to that party's support for the electricity privatisation bill. Like, they've never done that ???? Anyway, I won't reproduce the whole hansard dribble,but here are some extracts quoting the Greens Lee Rhiannon:
“…big wins that Labor has delivered to the Shooters Party include establishing the Game Council and with it new laws to allow recreational hunters to shoot feral animals on private land and in State forests. Mr Robert Brown became a member of the New South Wales upper House in May 2006, when he took the place of Mr John Tingle. It is worth reflecting on some of the developments that occurred when Mr Tingle was a member in this place. In April 1997 Premier Carr worked with Mr John Tingle to establish the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Shooting Clubs. The purpose of the committee was to provide a whole-of-government approach to issues affecting shooting clubs, to help clubs obtain Crown land for ranges and finance to develop or redevelop them. It is understood that after the 1999 election Premier Carr regularly met with Mr John Tingle as part of Labor's strategy to win the support of the crossbench members of the upper House. In 1995 there were seven crossbench members in the upper House and, as we know, after the 1999 tablecloth-ballot election their number increased to 13…”
”…From 1999 to 2003 Labor had to work hard in this place to gain the support of the crossbenchers. Shooting organisations made gains in this period on many issues. It appears that a close relationship developed between the Government and Mr John Tingle and, similar to what we see now, when the Government was in a tight spot and needed that one extra vote, so often Mr Tingle was there to help out. From 1998 to 2001 the Shooters Party secured over $5 million in additional funding for shooters clubs. An average 20 clubs per year were given funding ranging from $2,000 to $45,000 for specific projects. Overall, shooting clubs received a huge increase in public funding and several new shooting ranges and regional shooting complexes were built…”
“…The Shooters Party was…instrumental in weakening the threatened species legislation. Representatives from the Shooters Party have been appointed to a number of government boards where they have a vested interest, for example, the Pest Animal Management Council, the Animal Welfare Advisory Council and the Non-Indigenous Animals Council. After viewing all the assistance that the Shooters Party has received from the Government it makes me smile when members of that party abuse the Greens because of our work with various environmental groups. Shooters Party members have this State well and truly sewn up. They have a cash flow direct from the Government and their organisations benefit financially. As I said earlier, that funding assists them to become elected to this Parliament and to appoint key representatives to various boards…”
“…The Shooters Party, through the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Shooting Clubs [MACOSC], lobbied for approval and funding of numerous regional shooting complexes. It gained 540 hectares for the Illawarra Shooting Association in the Dharawal Nature Reserve and played a key role in establishing or extending shooting complexes at Cessnock, Emmaville, Inverell-Glen Innes, Mudgee, Bodalla, Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Hill Top and Hornsby. Crown land was obtained for the Far South Coast Hunting Club at Bodalla….I would like to share with members something that occurred during the last Federal election. There are interesting links between Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the gun lobby. Mr Rudd is a patron of the Queensland Amateur Pistol Shooting Association and he has met with the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia [SSAA]. Mr Rudd is also reported to have close links with the Belmont Shooting Range, which is located in his electorate. He is known as a keen clay target shooter and possibly a keen pistol shooter…”
We just hope we can replicate that success in Victoria. VicPol targets pistol shooters on attendances We understand several hundred letters have been sent by the VicPol to pistol shooters who may not have achieved their minimum attendance requirements. The CFCV is interested in finding some case studies of shooters who may have fallen foul of this through no real fault of their own. We have a plan. If you are in that boat - or know someone who is - and happy to help us out, please let us know. You can email us by clicking here. The irony is not lost on us .... 3AW's 'Rumour File' today reported something very strange. It reported that a licensed gun owner went to a police station to renew his licence - and caught legionnaires disease which later caused him to pass away. Extremely sad, but if true, very, very ironic that a chap doing what he can to comply with the law, should be killed by a disease caught at a police station. Researchers confirm gun buyback had 'no effect' Researchers have issued this press release confirming what we suspected - that the 1996 gun buyback did not work.
New peer-reviewed research shows that multiple independent studies on the impact of Australia 's 1996 gun bans and half-billion dollar 'buyback' scheme all point the same way: no effect.
Study co-author and WiSH Chair Dr Samara McPhedran said "We compared four published papers that have evaluated the legislative changes. Using different analysis methods and time periods, none of the studies found evidence for an impact of the laws on the pre-existing decline in firearm homicides." The research found that debate over whether or not the legislation had an impact has arisen from different interpretations of the same results. "Disagreement has occurred because of seemingly contradictory research outcomes. However, it turns out that the studies do not contradict one another at all." "The statistical findings were in complete agreement, even though the conclusions varied." The authors identify a series of interpretive misunderstandings that have created the appearance of inconsistency. "For example, the pre-existing decline in firearm suicides accelerated post-1996, but not all of the studies acknowledge that non-firearm suicides began falling from the late 1990s onwards, coinciding with the implementation of national suicide prevention strategies." "This implies that broad social changes such as greater awareness of mental health influenced suicides across the board, highlighting the importance of early intervention and ongoing support for those in need." The new research will clear the way for policymakers to support and develop initiatives that work, such as the National Suicide Prevention Strategy, rather than pursuing measures that have not achieved results. "Just as one swallow does not make a summer, a single study cannot definitively answer whether or not the laws delivered public health and safety outcomes. Collectively, though, the research has become a flock of swallows with a very clear direction."
An executive summary can be downloaded by clicking here. Government announces 2.5% fee increase The following 'Notice of Decision' appeared in the Victoria Government Gazette last Friday, confirming that the few fee structure will be an adjustment of 2.5%. There are a couple of other minor changes as well as identified in the notice.
The Firearms Regulations 1997 will sunset on 21 April 2008. The Regulations provide an
operational framework to give effect to key elements of the Firearms Act 1996 (the Act), including
the prescription of fees payable for an application for a licence, permit, approval or authority under
the Act, and requirements that must be fulfilled before shooting can take place on certain types of
land.
Notice of a Regulatory Impact Statement in respect of the proposed Firearms Regulations 2008
was published in The Age, and the Herald Sun on 9 February 2008 and the Government Gazette
on 8 February 2008. That notice of Regulatory Impact Statement was withdrawn due to a technical
error and re-advertised in The Age, and the Herald Sun on 16 February 2008 and the Government
Gazette on 15 February 2008. The closing date for submissions was 17 March 2008.
A total of 221 public submissions were received in relation to the Regulatory Impact Statement
and proposed Regulations. Having considered the submissions I have decided to make the proposed
Regulations with the following amendments.
Fees
Proposed Regulation 6 – requirements for the suppression of pest animals
Stakeholders gave feedback that these requirements are impracticable in their current form, and
that compliance rates are low. It is proposed to amend this regulation to align the requirements for
the use of firearms in this context with some of the key requirements that apply to sport or target
shooting activities on private property. The requirements to inform police of the place and date that
the activity will occur will be removed, and replaced with requirements that the activity does not
occur within 250 metres of a dwelling or 100 metres of a public road.
Proposed Regulation 14 – cap on dealers' fees for acting as agents.
Proposed Regulation 22 – conduct of shooting activity on private property.
BOB CAMERON, MP Government to reject massive dealer fee increase The following article appeared in this weeks Weekly Times:
by Peter Hunt A key member of the Victorian Government's country caucus has stepped into the line of fire on controversial plans to raise gun dealers' licence fees by 650 per cent. The Government's proposed Firearms Regulations 2008, which were released in February, call for dealers' licence fees to rise from $965 to $7209 and juniors fees to jump from $39 to $94.
At the time, Country Victorian gun dealers warned the fee increases would drive them to extinction. However Ballarat East Labor MP Geoff Howard told The Weekly Times last week the Government would not be adopting the proposed fee increases for dealers. "It was an issue raised by all country MPs at our (country caucus) meeting," he said. Mr Howard said he stood by an email sent to a constituent on March 7, which stated Police Minister Bob Cameron did not plan to adopt the fee increases. "I'm statisfied the Minister is fully aware of the outrage that this would rightly cause among smaller gun dealers in particular," Mr Howard stated in the email. "I believe that the outcomes to be accepted by the Minister will be far more acceptable." Mr Howard was briefed on the issue by the Minister's office in the last week of February. Many country Victorian dealers, who are part-timers or sell guns as a side-line activity, have warned they would abandon the business if the Government raised fees."
McIntosh's Notice of Motion on dealer fees The Opposition spokesperson on firearm matters, Andrew McIntosh, has moved the following motion in parliament:
Thanks guys! Good news shooting story on ABC's 7:30 Report The 7:30 Report today ran a great story on Alana Slater, a gymnast who retired from her sport and took up shooting. It's a really great reminder of the positive side to our sport. Click here to read the transcript or watch the extended interview online at the ABC's website. Herald Sun article on licence fees The Herald Sun today ran this article on the proposed fees: -
Peter Mickelburough March 12, 2008 12:00am SHOOTERS want cheaper licences but have slammed a State Government plan to restructure costs. The Government's changes would cut some fees, while junior licence fees would more than double and dealer charges would rise seven-fold. Combined Firearms Council state president Bill Paterson said the changes would discourage young people taking up the sport and drive many small dealers, particularly in regional areas, out of business. Mr Paterson said recent savings in the licensing and registration process should be passed on to all shooters. Under the Department of Justice proposal, total revenue from firearm fees would rise slightly but be redistributed. Cuts of 5-35 per cent to rifle, shotgun and antique collectors' licences would be funded by other rises, including a 239 per cent jump from $9 to $30.50 in the fee to buy a long-arm.
Pistol licences for sport or target shooting will almost double from $148 to $293. Junior fees will jump 138 per cent from $39 to $94, and dealer licences will jump by up to 647 per cent, from $965 to $7208. "Many small dealers exist either as a part-time business or to assist clubs. Imagine what these fees will do to them," Mr Paterson said. "They will need to turnover $50,000 of stock just to pay the licence fee." Opposition police spokesman Andrew McIntosh said as many as 60 per cent of dealers could fold. He said the fees were meant to more closely match the cost of providing licences. "But if that is the case we must have the most antiquated, out-of-date and expensive licensing regime in this country," he said. Mr McIntosh said the fee for a dealers' licence was $1500 in the next most expensive state, South Australia, $500 in NSW and $143 in Queensland. Mr Paterson said improved productivity could fund an 11 per cent cut to all licence fees. "We understand, for example, that the introduction of a new online computer system will save about $1 million in costs, which are savings that should flow back to shooters while improving the accuracy of licensing and registration data," he said. He said the Government must deliver a more realistic structure that made the system more efficient and effective. Public statements on a regulatory impact statement released by the department last month close on Monday. A spokesman for Police Minister Bob Cameron referred the Herald Sun to the department, which said: "We encourage all interested parties to voice their views. The Government values the input of the VFCC (Victorian Firearms Consultative Committee) and will consider all submissions closely." Police aim to ramp up storage inspections The Victoria Police are set to continue taking more general police off the beat to check the paperwork of Victoria's 185,000 licensed shooters. The Age (click here) reports that inspections will continue in light of statistics relating to gun-related homicide, even though a closer look at the statistics show they do not involve licensed shooters. Meanwhile, we hope the Police are continuing to find the guns, bullet proof vests and uniforms they 'lost' as reported in the media only a fortnight ago. CFCV's submission to the RIS The CFCV has submitted its comments on the fees Regulatory Impact Statement. It includes a call for a reduction in licence fees of 11% based on efficiencies which are available now. Article on fee impact on dealers The Weekly Times has run a good story on the fee issue and their impact on firearm dealers. We think this will be persuasive in the final outcome as it demonstrates that both of Ararat's firearm dealers may need to shut down as both are effectively part time operations. Click the image to see the full sized version of the article. It doesn't matter how you look at this matter - the current fee proposal cannot be supported on any rational basis. It raises significant questions about the Licensing Services Division of the Victoria Police which must now be addressed with a permanent solution once this matter is over. It is also worth noting the contributions in parliament yesterday of Andrew McIntosh (Liberals, lower house) and John Vogels (Liberals, upper house) on this matter. Both spoke on the fees and other issues raised in the Regulatory Impact Statement. In particular, Mr McIntosh spoke about how antiquated and out-of-date and expensive our licensing system must be. Mr McIntosh's comments were worthy of inclusion on our politician's page. CFCV clarifies rumours There are rumours floating around in relation to the role shooters (predominately the CFCV) has played in relation to 'deals' over the proposed regulatory fees. We have had no role in them and haven't even met with government in relation to them. We wish we did, because we would have more influence over the policy, but the simple fact is that we don't. We are heading in that direction, but are not there yet. We are about to start compiling our submission and support the work of the Firearms Consultative Committee which is also working up it's own position. It is worth noting that the FCC is not all shooters as previously implied by the Greens. It includes academics, the police association and others. The Royal College of Surgeons had been a member but pulled out as it considered the issues raised not likely to be of interest to it. However in this process it is just like everybody else (as it has no statutory role) - as a submittee. The CFCV advice to shooters is that we are still facing a massive risk to the shooting sports if the fees are adopted. We encourage all to keep an eye on this page we set up dedicated to this matter. Police Minster seeks 600%+ fee increases Police Minister, Bob Cameron, who the CFCV previously supported, has now released a consultation draft of proposed regulations to jack up fees for junior licenses, pistol shooters and firearm dealers. We have set up a page dealing specifically with this issue - just click here to read about the increases and what you can do about it. ... while Barber sets new parliamentary standards Greens MP, Greg Barber, this week insulted the intelligence and competency of the Victorian state government by firstly asking the Minister for Police and Emergency Services to make sure that a firearm expo in Wodonga would be legal, but to ensure that "informal sales of weapons do not occur" (if he means 'blackmarket' then he should be more upfront about it). Here is what he said in setting a new benchmark of parliamentary standard:
Dealers may obtain a permit for display of weapons under section 56 of the act; however, that is dependent on their being able to ensure the safe storage of their weapons, those provisions for safe storage being quite strict and overned by another section of the legislation. Theft of firearms is a big problem in Australia. Thousands of firearms are entering the illegal market via theft from people’s homes and from gun shops, where storage is clearly not secure or satisfactory. This expo has been advertised nationally. Wodonga is right on the border with New South Wales, but any sales of weapons will occur in Victoria and will need to comply with Victorian laws, which include a requirement of 28-day waiting period for appropriate checks to occur. We need to ensure that, let me say, informal sales of weapons do not occur. In addition I would hope that the minister would be able to assure me that there will be an adequate police presence at the event to ensure that all of these requirements are not only correctly permitted but that they are operating correctly.
Hall raises stakes on duck season National Party MP, Peter Hall put a great challenge to the government in parliament this week - that is, to review its decision not to have a duck season based on rainfall and duck breeding that occurred after the government's announcement in December. Here is what he said:
The minister did concede that while conditions in some parts of southern Victoria had improved significantly, at that time they were not able to compensate for the poor conditions across much of eastern Australia.
I put to the minister this evening that conditions across much of eastern Australia have improved significantly since 19 December when the minister made his announcement. Members would be well aware of the rains that have fallen in Queensland and northern New South Wales, and I am reliably informed that water birds are now flocking to those areas and breeding in literally tens of thousands. The conditions that would facilitate a duck hunting season have vastly improved since the minister’s announcement in mid-December. I also put to the minister that conditions continue to remain most favourable in parts of Victoria, particularly Gippsland. In northern Victoria, with recent rains, John Nash, the conservation officer with Field and Game Australia in Bairnsdale, reports to me that the breeding boxes in that area are achieving something like a 98 per cent occupancy rate, which is very good indeed. Field and Game Australia has reminded me that in 2005 when drought was far more evident across Victoria than it is this year and we were experiencing a worse season in terms of water bird numbers the government announced a limited season with limited bag limits. The organisation has suggested to me that that would be a
more than reasonable position for the minister to adopt for this season. My request to the minister is that he reconsider his decision to cancel the 2008 duck hunting season in Victoria. Given the significant improvement in environmental conditions conducive to the breeding and ongoing viability of water bird numbers right across eastern Australia, I believe there are good reasons for the minister to do so. If we cannot have a full season then at least we could have a limited season with limited bag numbers, as the government implemented in 2005.
Canada one more step towards abolishing longarm registration Media reports suggest the Canadian Government will abolish the registration of longarms. Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day introduced legislation in the Canadian Parliament in November to do away with the requirement for gun owners to register shotguns and rifles abolished. Firearms retailers would still need to record the sale of non-restricted firearms, as was the case prior to the implementation of the registry. Money saved would be invested in law enforcement. Costs of firearm registration have passed the $1-billion mark, which is far more than the $2 million price tag predicted by the Liberals that introduced it in 1995. Holders of longarms would still need to have a valid firearms licnece to purchase and possess firearms and ammunition. The new laws would not affect licensing requirements or the registration of restricted firearms, such as handguns.
Firearms: handgun regulation
Andrew deserves our support and encouragement. We should provide recognition for any pollie who is prepared to go in to bat for us - we need as many of them as we can find.
- updated 15 August 2008
- updated 11 August 2008
- updated 9 August 2008
- updated 21 June 2008
“…It is interesting to examine the relationship between the Shooters Party and Labor. In New South Wales the gains of the Shooters Party have been won with enormous support from New South Wales Labor…”
Of course they're not smart enough to realise they are helping legitimise to other shooters, the reason to support the Shooters Party in NSW.
- updated 17 June 2008
- updated 6 May 2008.
- updated 21 April 2008.
Media Release April 21 2008
Gun Law Research Agrees: 1996 Bans Missed the Mark
- updated 9 April 2008.
(Section 12)
NOTICE OF DECISION
Firearms Regulations 2008
Fees in the Exposure Draft of the proposed Regulations were set on a full cost recovery basis
and removed existing cross-subsidies in the fees charged under the current Regulations. The fees
proposed included reductions to some types of fees, and a substantial increase in others. The
firearms industry gave feedback that the cross-subsidies should be retained. It is proposed that each
fee under the Schedules be increased by 2.5% (except where this would result in an increase of less
than a dollar). This will achieve recovery of the costs of processing licences, permits and approvals
but will distribute those costs more evenly across the firearms community, whilst still achieving the
principle of full cost recovery.
The current regulation imposes several restrictions, including prior notification to a police
station where a farmer uses their firearms on another primary producer's property for the purposes
of pest suppression.
Currently the regulations prescribe a maximum fee of $10 that dealers can charge for this
function. Stakeholders and police gave feedback that the fee was too low and should be increased.
Based on advice from the Victorian Firearms Consultative Committee, it is proposed to increase
the cap to a maximum of $25. The regulation gives dealers the discretion to charge less than the
maximum.
This regulation applies to sport or target shooting on private property, not approved ranges.
However, stakeholders argued its application was unclear and that it purported to regulate the
conduct of all shooting activity on private property. In order to clarify its scope, it is proposed that
the heading of the regulation be amended to include a reference to 'sport and target shooting'.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services
- updated 27 March 2008.
Gun dealers to dodge bullet
- updated 16 March 2008.
MR McINTOSH — To move, That this House demands that the Minister for Police and Emergency Services immediately rejects February 2008's Regulatory Impact Statement on the proposed Firearms Regulations which would see a 700 per cent increase in the dealer's licence fee merely to prop up what appears to be the most inefficient licensing regime in Australia and is completely inequitable and inconsistent with other states and territories and which will see the demise of many dealers, particularly in regional and rural Victoria.
Meanwhile the Liberal's Richard Dalla-Riva moved a motion in the upper house to the effect that the house should note the importance of firearm dealer fees.
- updated 12 March 2008.
- updated 12 March 2008.
Shooter fury on fee rise
You can also see the 'real' version (scanned copy from the HS) by clicking here.
- updated 9 March 2008.
- updated 8 March 2008.
- updated 27 February 2008
- updated 22 February 2008.
- updated 9 February 2008.
- updated 8 February 2008.
Mr BARBER (Northern Metropolitan) — My adjournment matter is for the attention of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in the other place and relates to the forthcoming hunting and firearms expo to be held in Wodonga. In general terms my request is that the minister ensure that the expo has obtained all the necessary permits required to operate and that it is conducted in compliance with those permits and all relevant laws.
- updated 8 February 2008.
Mr HALL (Eastern Victoria) — Tonight I wish to raise a matter for the attention of the Minister for Environment and Climate Change. It concerns the minister’s decision last December to cancel the duck hunting season in Victoria for 2008. I refer the minister to his press release dated 19 December 2007 in which he announced that decision. Some of the reasons he gave for that decision were habitat availability, the drought and below-average breeding across much of the eastern part of Australia.
- updated 5 January 2008.