The Hon. Shane Love MLA, Leader of the Nationals WA, Media Release, 21 March 2024
The Nationals WA have opposed Labor’s contentious Firearms Bill 2024 as the full impact on WA’s health system and individual licence holders was revealed during debate this week.
Leader Shane Love MLA said a months-old briefing note from WA Police, which was only provided to Parliament this week, laid bare the scope of the new mandatory health assessments which WA’s 90,000 licensed firearms holders will soon be subject to.
“While the Minister for Police has repeatedly sought to downplay the significance of these mandatory health checks or their potential impact on our health system, it is markedly clear that Labor’s new firearms laws go too far,” Mr Love said.
Mr Love said WA Police have recommended all of WA’s 90,000 existing firearm licence holders be required to receive a mandatory health check within the next five years. These checks will not be covered by Medicare.
“This will result in our already stretched health system needing to cope with an influx of 1,500 health assessments every month for at least the next five years, while further hitting the hip pocket of everyday West Australians,” Mr Love said.
“When you take into account an estimated 300 new licence applications per month, as well as licensing for other authorised persons, such as primary producers, the impact on our health system will be significant, and more so in regional areas.”
Mr Love said firearms owners would also be required to complete a self-assessment providing detailed personal information about their health, mental health, and alcohol use.
“Health concerns which may impact your ability to obtain or renew a firearm licence include high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, arthritis, diabetes, or wearing a hearing aid,” he said.
Around one in four men over the age of 30 have some degree of sleep apnoea, while the Heart Foundation claims one third of Australian adults have high blood pressure.
Previous surgeries, illnesses, or mental health disorders will also need to be disclosed, even if they have no impact on licence holders presently.
“The inclusion of common medical issues and prior health concerns have very little bearing on whether a person is fit to use a firearm safely,” Mr Love said.
“This is a clear tactic by WA Police and their out-of-control Minister to force law-abiding firearms owners to relinquish their licences.”
The Nationals WA also sought to refer the Firearms Bill 2024 to the Community Development and Justice Standing Committee to ensure proper scrutiny of the Bill, however, the Government used its overwhelming numbers in Parliament to defeat his referral, side- stepping transparency yet again.
The Firearms Bill 2024 passed the Legislative Assembly today and will now proceed to the Legislative Council for further debate.
The Nationals WA are the only Party in the Legislative Assembly which opposed the Bill.
