IMITATION FIREARMS

The Hon. G.M. GUNN (Stuart) (15:28): My question is to the Minister for Police. I ask the minister whether he is aware of the concerns of law-abiding citizens who collect replica and imitation firearms who are now placed in a position where their collections will have to be surrendered without compensation. I have been approached by a considerable number of constituents, some of whom have had to spend up to $2,000 purchasing these items, others who are involved in restoring World War II jeeps who have imitation firearms attached to them to make them look genuine, who are now placed in a situation where they may have to remove these things otherwise they will be in breach of this law, which would appear to have had unintended consequences for citizens who have never broken the law in their lives.

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Police, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:29): I am not sure that the member necessarily has it correct the way he has outlined the case. What the government has done has been to introduce regulations so that imitation firearms will be licensed like any other firearm. The reason why this has been done is because the advice we have received is that imitation firearms have been used in acts of crime; they have been of serious and significant concern to police. I perhaps should go back a step because some time ago this item was raised at a police ministers' conference. It is my understanding that most states around Australia in one form or another have done similar to what we have done in South Australia.

As I said, what we have done in South Australia has been to regulate imitation firearms so that they need to be licensed like normal firearms. Of course, with respect to imitation firearms, we are talking about them looking almost identical to real firearms, being used for the purpose of criminal activity, and on some occasions imitation firearms are adapted so that they can fire real bullets.

We think that there is some real substance to the advice received by police. That is why we have come forward with the regulations. I think to do otherwise would have been obviously not to take heed of the advice and not to treat this matter seriously as it does need to be treated.

I have met with the combined shooters association. They have put forward some views in regard to this. I have asked that their views be communicated to me in writing, which I understand has occurred, and, where they are able to highlight to me and substantiate their allegations, I have undertaken to get crown law advice about that material and I am in the process of that.