WA Nationals leader Shane Love has called on the Cook Labor Government to urgently halt the implementation of the Firearms Act 2024.
Last week, the Upper House passed a motion to refer the act to the Standing Commission on Legislation which will examine the regulations act and report its findings to parliament within three months.
Mr Love said by sending the Firearms Act to the Standing Commission for review, the State Government has admitted the regulation was a mistake. “The very fact that Labor supported sending the Firearms Act to the Standing Commission on Legislation for review is a clear admission,” he said. “They know they’ve got it wrong, they know they’ve botched the implementation, and they now need advice on how to fix it. “They cannot, in good faith or conscience, continue implementing these regulations while simultaneously admitting they need further scrutiny. “The regulations must be stopped. Now.”
Mr Love said Opposition parties have supported his views and said it showed a shared commitment to holding the State Government accountable. “It is now incumbent on the Government to act responsibly,” he said. “The Cook Labor Government must immediately extend its 90-day transition period to 12 months, allowing time to properly review and implement the findings before proceeding with any further rollout of Firearms regulation.”
The introduction of the Firearms Act has created concern amongst legitimate firearm owners and how their livelihoods will be affected, including for farmers, pest controllers, collectors and sporting shooters.
“The Cook Labor Government must stop digging in and start listening,” Mr Love said. “They must pause these regulations now, and do the right thing, by responsible law-abiding Western Australians.”
