Firearms—Owner health checks
97. Hon Dr Steve Thomas to the minister representing the Minister for Police:
I refer to the government's opaque firearms laws.
(1) To whom specifically does the government's proposed grandfathering provisions for the renewal of a firearms licence apply?(2) Does the applicant for a firearms licence have full access to all details and conclusions of the GP assessment of the medical health check?(3) What appeal rights or mechanisms does an applicant have in disputing a health check assessment?(4) Who is the overarching decision-maker in the granting or refusal of an applicant's submission for a licence?Hon Matthew Swinbourn replied:
I thank the member of some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by the Minister for Police.
(1) There is no grandfathering of firearms licences. Firearms licences which existed prior to 31 March 2025 no longer exist, and those affected hold a transitional authority until they are transitioned to a new licence type. Grandfathering of storage applies to existing licence holders with fewer than five firearms in an occupied location.(2) This information is confidential between the medical practitioner and the applicant. Access to such information is between the medical practitioner and the applicant. The WA Police Force will only receive the outcome of the medical assessment.(3) The health assessment is part of the process of assessing a firearm licence application or renewal. The decision to refuse or revoke a firearms licence is reviewable by the State Administrative Tribunal.(4) The Commissioner of Police, or an approved delegate.