Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-03-21 Daily Xml

Contents

Native Bird Hunting

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:14): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the minister representing the Minister for Police on the topic of the application of the Firearms Act 2015.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: This past weekend was the first weekend of duck hunting season. Footage by animal advocates and the RSPCA in the media have shown hunters carrying alcohol and guns. Under the Firearms Act, section 42, handling firearms while under influence of intoxicating liquor or drug carries a maximum penalty of $10,000 or imprisonment for two years. My question to the minister is: what has SAPOL done to pursue and prosecute this part of the act?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:15): I thank the honourable member for her question. As she has suggested, I will be more than happy to refer those to the minister responsible and bring back a reply.