Firearms Legislation - Caps
Ms BURNET question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
[10.15 a.m.]
On Tuesday when the honourable member for Lyons, Mr Di Falco, asked one of his regular Dorothy Dixers of minister Ellis about firearms -
Members interjecting.
Mr Abetz - That's a reflection.
The SPEAKER - Order.
Ms BURNET - he selectively quoted from the report handed down by the highly respected -
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER - Order. I will stop the clock for the honourable Deputy Speaker.
Mr BARNETT - Point of order, relating to parliamentary standards, and whether there's been a reflection on the reputation of another member of parliament.
Mr Winter - Which one? Which Standing Order?
Mr Mitchell - Name it
Members interjecting.
Ms Haddad - It's up to him to take offence. No need to protect him.
Mr Mitchell - Saint Guy
Mr Abetz - We wear our respect badges and then you show now respect.
A member - You're the one quoting the bible.
Ms Butler - Protecting Mr Di Falco are we?
Ms Haddad - You can't talk about respect. Ask Ruth Forrest if she thinks you guys are respectful.
Mr Winter - Hear, hear.
The SPEAKER - Order. I remind the Deputy Premier that it is up to the member concerned to raise it as a personal offence, so the honourable Deputy Speaker has the call.
Ms BURNET - Thank you. He selectively quoted from the report handed down by the highly respected former commissioner Ken Lay AO. What the honourable member left out was that Mr Lay recommended the Victorian government consider introducing a cap of firearms per licence holder. Premier, gun violence and firearms offences in Tasmania have been increasing in recent years and we have seen two shootings in the last few weeks. At the start of the year you committed to bring legislation to this parliament to keep Tasmanians safe from gun violence. What will it take to make this a priority for your government?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the honourable member for the question. It's not for me to defend the honourable member for Lyons, who is the member of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party. I don't like that characterisation of another member of parliament who has every right to ask a question in this place, as we all do.
Mr Winter - How's Ruth Forrest going?
Mr Willie - Or Sarah Lovell.
The SPEAKER - Order.
Mr Winter - Where's Elise Archer? Did you delete those text messages?
The SPEAKER - Order.
Mr ROCKLIFF - Our position on firearms reform is very clear; we announced that a number of weeks, if not months, ago. There is a national conversation clearly happening when it comes to other states, including Victoria which has announced its no cap policy, as I understand it, and certainly Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia.
We have announced our clear commitment when it comes to firearms reform around focusing on the areas that I know minister Ellis talks about often, and that is targeting the criminals and those in possession of a stolen firearm - those are still firearms as well. We also have the policy position of reclassification in category C for certain firearms, as we've clearly articulated previously. We are committed to firearms reform. Mr Ellis is working through that now. We remain committed to strong firearms law reforms.
Supplementary Question
Ms BURNET - Premier, thank you for that answer, but I'll make the question very clear. At the start of the year you promised to introduce legislation to keep Tasmanians safe from firearms. When will you be doing this?
Mr ROCKLIFF - As I believe I've already said, as soon as possible, firearms legislation ‑ or a bill, at least - will be tabled in this place.