SSAA NSW

Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. 7 NSW Nationals Party Our most fundamental commitment to your readers is to be the most effective voice for fi rearms owners within the Coalition Government, should we be returned at the March 28 Election. With our heritage as a farmers' party, our members have been impacted by every change to fi rearms laws since 1996. While I can't say we've won every debate on every issue in the Cabinet or in the Joint Party Room, we've always advocated for laws that do not impact on the ability of farmers to earn a living, or sporting shooters to practice their sport. On the rumour and debate about the future of the ANZAC Rifl e Range at Malabar: There are many vested interests with their eyes on this land and the issues are reasonably complex. The existing rifl e range has clearly established its tenure on the site and should be treated as an asset for all sporting shooters in the Sydney basin. We will be active within Government to ensure the voice of sporting shooters is listened to. On a replacement for the ANZAC Rifl e Range at Malabar: We will work with all users of the range to ensure a satisfactory outcome. On the signifi cant lack of range facilities in the Sydney, Newcastle and Illawarra: The NSW Liberals & Nationals have the state's budget under control after 16 years of incompetence by the previous Government. As a strong partner within a strong Government, the NSW Nationals have secured a better deal for regional NSW. For example, 30% of our infrastructure fund has been quarantined and is now being spent on new hospitals, roads, water security and other infrastructure projects in the regions. If returned to Government in March, the NSW Nationals will be able to work with the SSAA NSW on its facilities plan, with a particular focus on regional NSW. On the Ammunition Control Bill: The Ammunition Control Bill was the subject of much debate within the Coalition, the Parliament and the broader community. While the reform was well-meaning, the devil was in the detail. The NSW Nationals argued that only the licence number should be recorded by fi rearms dealers. We also worked with the Minister responsible for the planning of a secure, web-based Firearms Registry access system. Should the Government be returned, we will work with the Minister to review any unintended consequences of this legislation. On implementation of formal consultation mechanisms with representatives of the industry and sport: While our informal relationships with representatives of shooters across the state have served us well to date, I agree that we could do more, particularly with a number of major reviews on the way. If returned to Government, the NSW Nationals will formalise a consultative relationship with SSAA NSW and other representative bodies as part of our own party's Firearms Working Group. On a National Firearms Registry and the National Firearms Agreement 1996: With our heritage as a farmers' party, our members have been impacted by every change to fi rearms laws since 1996. Legal fi rearms owners are not the problem - it's the illegals. Quite simply we do not support any further amendments to fi rearms laws which adversely impact on legitimate primary producers or sporting shooters. Deputy Premier Troy Grant SSAA NSW spoke to the Hon Rick Colless MLC, the NSW National Party spokesperson for fi rearms who was also representing the Deputy Premier and Member for Dubbo, Hon Troy Grant MP. On the National Party's policy on fi rearms ownership and the shooting sports: Hon. Rick Colless (middle) with SSAA NSW Executive Director Diana Melham (left) and SSAA NSW Board President Paul McNabb (right)

• Cover