Firearms Act—Federal government
515. Hon Dr Brian Walkerto theLeader of the House representing the Premier:
I note that in the last cabinet reshuffle, the Premier dropped his title of Minister for Federal–State Relations, but given that he retains oversight of his government as a whole, I refer him to the comments made over the weekend by his colleague the Acting Prime Minister, Hon Richard Marles MP, in which the Acting PM drew a firm distinction between "weapons" and "parts of weapons".
(1) Does the Cook Labor government draw the same distinction between "weapons" and "parts of weapons" when it comes to military exports to other countries?
(2) Does the Premier stand by the decision of his own government here in WA to classify, for example, the wooden stock of a rifle as "part of a firearm" and therefore illegal to possess without a valid licence?
(3) If yes to either (1) or (2), can the Premier explain why there is one law for ordinary citizens here in WA and one for our governments?
(4) If no to either (1) or (2) and Mr Marles has made a valid argument that the government accepts, when can we expect to see revisions to the Firearms Act to reflect the Labor Party's new thinking on this important issue?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I answer this on behalf of the Premier.
(1) The Commonwealth governs the export of military goods and technology from Australia.
(2)–(4) Yes. Under section 6 of the Firearms Act 2024, a firearm includes any device or part designed to discharge a projectile, whether assembled or in parts, and whether complete or incomplete. Under section 14 of the Firearms Act 2024, a stock is considered a major firearm part. Additionally, a stock may be a prohibited accessory if it alters the firearm's function or concealability. A person must hold a licence or permit to possess any major firearm part, including a stock.
