Published Sunday, 24 June, 2007 at 03:00 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
PREMIER CALLS FOR PUBLIC SUBMISSIONS TO WEAPONS ACT REVIEW
Premier Peter Beattie and Police Minister Judy Spence have today called for public submissions to the Weapons Act review, currently being undertaken by the State Government.
The Premier said the review would assess the Weapons Act (1990), to ensure it continued to deliver robust and workable regulations regarding firearms and other weapons, and a balance between community safety and the needs of those requiring legitimate access to firearms.
“The recent shooting in Victoria re-affirms why Queensland needs to be vigilant in monitoring weapons legislation,” Mr Beattie said.
“The review will examine whether existing laws need to be modified, as well as considering community submissions and streamlining current provisions.
“Queensland already has tough laws on the ownership and use of firearms including handguns and we will ensure we continue to have nationally consistent and practical laws for dealing with these issues,” he said.
Ms Spence said the Queensland Police Service has already undertaken an internal review of the Act.
“Police will report back to me next month with any concerns they have identified for consideration as part of the review,” Ms Spence said.
“We now want to hear any and all proposals from members of the public and community groups in regard to this legislation.”
Once the community consultation process is complete, all recommendations will be considered by the Review Committee, chaired by Member for Redlands, John English and Deputy Chair, Member for Chatsworth, Chris Bombolas.
“Stakeholders will be invited to sit on the committee, including members of the Queensland Police Service Weapons Licensing Branch, the Sporting Shooters Association and the Firearm Dealers Association of Queensland,” Ms Spence said.
“All submissions will be considered. I will then take the recommendations to Cabinet for the government to consider.
“If changes to the Act are required, we would expect to take them into Parliament by mid-2008.
“The Beattie Government takes the issue of handguns seriously and has, on more than one occasion, encouraged the community to give up their weapons without fear of prosecution.”
More than 83,000 handguns and handgun parts were surrendered to police in the 2003/04 handgun buyback, and more than 10,000 firearms were surrendered or registered during Queensland’s general firearms amnesty in 2004.
Combined, both efforts achieved the removal of 96,185 guns and parts from the community forever.
“These measures, together with regular reviews of the Weapons Act, mean it is tougher than ever to access illegal weapons in Queensland,” Ms Spence said.
Public submissions can be made via the Queensland Police Service website from Wednesday, 27 June at www.police.qld.gov.au
ENDS
Sunday, 22 June 2007
Media Inquiries:
Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister Spence’s office – 3239 6218/ 0439 673 287
The Premier said the review would assess the Weapons Act (1990), to ensure it continued to deliver robust and workable regulations regarding firearms and other weapons, and a balance between community safety and the needs of those requiring legitimate access to firearms.
“The recent shooting in Victoria re-affirms why Queensland needs to be vigilant in monitoring weapons legislation,” Mr Beattie said.
“The review will examine whether existing laws need to be modified, as well as considering community submissions and streamlining current provisions.
“Queensland already has tough laws on the ownership and use of firearms including handguns and we will ensure we continue to have nationally consistent and practical laws for dealing with these issues,” he said.
Ms Spence said the Queensland Police Service has already undertaken an internal review of the Act.
“Police will report back to me next month with any concerns they have identified for consideration as part of the review,” Ms Spence said.
“We now want to hear any and all proposals from members of the public and community groups in regard to this legislation.”
Once the community consultation process is complete, all recommendations will be considered by the Review Committee, chaired by Member for Redlands, John English and Deputy Chair, Member for Chatsworth, Chris Bombolas.
“Stakeholders will be invited to sit on the committee, including members of the Queensland Police Service Weapons Licensing Branch, the Sporting Shooters Association and the Firearm Dealers Association of Queensland,” Ms Spence said.
“All submissions will be considered. I will then take the recommendations to Cabinet for the government to consider.
“If changes to the Act are required, we would expect to take them into Parliament by mid-2008.
“The Beattie Government takes the issue of handguns seriously and has, on more than one occasion, encouraged the community to give up their weapons without fear of prosecution.”
More than 83,000 handguns and handgun parts were surrendered to police in the 2003/04 handgun buyback, and more than 10,000 firearms were surrendered or registered during Queensland’s general firearms amnesty in 2004.
Combined, both efforts achieved the removal of 96,185 guns and parts from the community forever.
“These measures, together with regular reviews of the Weapons Act, mean it is tougher than ever to access illegal weapons in Queensland,” Ms Spence said.
Public submissions can be made via the Queensland Police Service website from Wednesday, 27 June at www.police.qld.gov.au
ENDS
Sunday, 22 June 2007
Media Inquiries:
Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister Spence’s office – 3239 6218/ 0439 673 287