Firearms—Owner health checks
211. Hon Nick Goiranto theminister representing the Minister for Police:
I refer to the article published in The West Australian on 14 May 2025 which reports that doctors are "refusing to conduct the health assessments people need to get a firearm licence".
(1) Is the minister aware of any refusals by GPs to conduct these health assessments?
(2) Has the WA Police Force received reports from applicants who have been unable to obtain the required medical certification due to these refusals?
(3) Has the minister discussed this matter with the Minister for Health?
(4) Given recent government statements that GPs are "not decision-makers" and that these health assessments form only one part of the decision-making process, what weight will be given to a health assessment in determining whether a person is a fit and proper person to hold a firearm licence?
Hon Matthew Swinbourn replied:
I thank the member for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by the Minister for Police.
(1)–(3) The Minister for Police has not received any direct reports from applicants who have been unable to obtain the required medical certification. During the development of these reforms, a working group comprising WA police, the Mental Health Commission, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and other stakeholders was established to determine the most effective process to deliver these reforms. Engagement between the RACGP and the state government is ongoing to ensure that general practitioners have the necessary support and guidance required to carry out these assessments.
(4) The intent is that the completed health assessment form provides information for consideration by the Commissioner of Police—the regulator—in the overall picture of a person's fit and proper status to obtain or retain a licence.
