FIREARMS LICENCES

In reply to Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (28 October 2008).

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Police, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing): The Firearms Act 1977 directs that an application for a firearms licence or permit must be in a prescribed manner and that the Registrar of Firearms must keep a register of licences and permits granted.

I am advised that during the 2007-2008 audit of SAPOL, the Auditor-General's department queried the process for the issuing of firearms licences and the need for specific delegation of authority to approve a firearms licence. SAPOL Solicitors Branch examined current administrative laws, processes and a number of existing judgements and reached the view that as the Firearms Act 1977 has no contrary intention, all firearms licences approvals have been issued lawfully pursuant to the Act.

However, I am further advised that in light of the Auditors-General's comments, an Instrument of Delegation was approved by the Commissioner of Police in July 2008. The delegation expressly covers the positions of Sergeant, Adjudication Section; Senior Adjudicator; Firearms Adjudicator and Firearms Clerk which are located within the South Australia Police Firearms Branch.