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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-11-12 Daily Xml
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Firearms (Digital Blueprints for 3D Printing) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 30 October 2025.)

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (12:50): I rise to speak briefly in support of this bill on behalf of the opposition. This proposed legislation, which seeks to prevent the proliferation of digitally distributed blueprints for 3D printed firearms, is indeed welcomed by the opposition. Our parliament has a responsibility to ensure state legislation keeps up with evolving technologies and to keep community safety as the utmost priority.

I am aware that there have been at least 14 cases in the last year of such blueprints being in the possession of individuals, which were twice as many incidents than in the previous 12 months. It clearly has been a growing concern and one which needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency, and the opposition takes this opportunity to commend the police on the excellent work they do in discovering this in the community.

Enabling the capacity for firearms with no serial numbers to be created by 3D printing is in fact very troubling and, although the opposition is naturally pleased this legislation is now being rushed through the parliament, we are surprised this bill was not introduced much sooner. In fact, I. note in the media release from the state government back in February 2024 that the then Minister for Police said:

We know how much damage a single person with a firearm can do. We can't allow these weapons to fall into the wrong hands…Our government is committed to staying ahead of the curve to protect community safety and ensure criminals have nowhere to hide.

That was of course some 20 months ago now and, as I mentioned earlier, within that period there were probably 20 or so known cases of people in our state possessing blueprints to make dangerous weapons virtually undetected. We, therefore, certainly would have liked to have seen this legislation introduced at the earliest opportunity.

With respect to the details of the bill itself, the maximum penalty of up to 15 years in jail or a $75,000 fine for the possession of a computer or data storage device holding or containing such a blueprint, possession of a document in which the blueprint is recorded or control of the blueprint is, in our estimation, sufficient.

SAPOL is understandably supportive of this bill as we understand it, and we trust the measures provided therein will assist our hardworking police with early intervention against criminal elements who may intend to engage in unlawful firearms manufacturing. This bill will undoubtedly make that harder for them. In the interests of the people of this state, we cannot afford to delay the enactment of these laws any longer, and for that reason the opposition supports the bill.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Autism) (12:53): I thank members for their feedback and appreciate the importance of this bill that we are debating today and look forward to its moving into the committee stage.

Bill read a second time.

Committee Stage

In committee.

Clause 1.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: Just very briefly, I indicate that the opposition is supportive of all clauses of this bill. We do not have any amendments, and we hope that this is a useful, further tool for our excellent police force to do the work that they do.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: I echo all those sentiments and look forward to the swift passage of this bill.

Clause passed.

Remaining clauses (2 to 3), schedule and title passed.

Bill reported without amendment.

Third Reading

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Autism) (12:55): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.

Sitting suspended from 12:56 to 14:16.

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