SSAA NSW

7 ISSUE 60 JUNE 2021 We then met with SFF who had already taken steps to ensure that an Upper House Inquiry was to established and chaired by The Hon. Robert Borsak. A strategic action timeline was developed. SSAA NSW submitted our paper to the Upper House Inquiry. Many of the issues raised in our earlier members' submissions were consolidated and included in the submission. Members of Parliament were contacted, as we sought their understanding of the Bill. It was presented as a firearms Bill and as such we found some misinterpretation. Ramifications of the Bill included: • Increased police powers to search without probable cause and to make a person's right to silence into a chargeable offence, encroaching on civil liberties. • The introduction of the precursor, which may criminalise legal firearms owners for owning certain tools. This also had significant impact on the farming community because of the tools they require to repair and maintain their essential equipment. • The failure to identify the legal firearms owner in the Bill. Importers, dealers and gunsmiths were identified, but when it came to identification of legal firearms owners we were effectively excluded from those protections which left legal firearms owners on the same level as criminals. This is, of course, counter-productive, given that targeting criminals was the purported reason for drafting the Bill. While SSAA NSW is in favour of significant penalties for the criminal use of firearms, the Bill has unrealistic penalties around the precursors, in comparison to current penalties for actual criminal use. Based on feedback received, we wrote to all MPs explaining our position and seeking further dialogue with those interested. Many MPs from various parties responded, which was very positive and helps our position. In December, we were invited to present to the Parliamentary Inquiry and answer questions from Members of Parliament who made the Inquiry. At that time, we presented our position on the Bill which started at the preferred position of withdrawal of the Bill and the minimum position of the following: • The establishment of a Ministerial Industry Advisory Council, as an ongoing initiative to provide a dialogue between government and industry stakeholders, regarding issues including this Bill. This Council has since been formed and we have secured a place on it, which is an appointment for two years. • The opportunity to establish protections for legal firearms owners within the Bill, by ensuring legal firearms owners are differentiated from criminals and are written into the Bill (as per the minimum standard provided by South Australia legislation). • The same civil rights as all New South Wales citizens currently have, be provided to legal firearms owners. • The basic lawful rights of legal firearms owners be supported by the appointment of a firearms Commissioner. Philip Donato MP (Member Miller and Jai Rowell at the ePetition.

• Cover