FIREARMS PROHIBITION ORDERS

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:34): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Minister for Police a question relating to firearms prohibition orders.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: Firearms prohibition orders have been in place in South Australia for a number of years. Firearms prohibition orders place a number of restrictions on individuals and others who come into contact with them. Section 10C(11) of the Firearms Act 1977 provides that a person who has a firearm under their immediate physical control is not to be in the company of a person to whom a firearms prohibition order applies and is in jeopardy of a $10,000 fine or imprisonment for two years. Likewise, section 10C(12) of the act makes it a criminal offence to bring a firearm onto a premises where a person with a firearms prohibition order is present. Similar provisions are being considered by this council in the context of the weapons bill.

The Firearms Act provisions put police at risk of committing a criminal offence in the normal course of their duties. Most police carry firearms as part of their standard kit. Furthermore, to avoid committing the offence, police would need to disarm themselves when coming into the presence of some of South Australia's most violent criminals. My questions are:

1. Will the government amend the firearms legislation to ensure that police do not risk breaking the law for doing their job?

2. How many exemptions have been granted in relation to section 10C(11) and 10C(12) of the Firearms Act 1977?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (14:35): I thank the honourable member for his questions and will refer them to the relevant minister in another place and bring back a response.