Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer has backed the NSW Liberals’ plan to strengthen community safety by targeting organised crime, gang violence, terrorism and illegal firearms, while fixing the unintended consequences of Labor’s rushed firearms laws.
Mr Dwyer said community safety reforms should focus on criminals and illegal guns, not responsible firearm owners who follow the law.
“Labor’s approach has unfairly impacted farmers, sporting shooters and other licensed firearm owners, while failing to adequately target the criminals who are driving violence in our communities,” Mr Dwyer said.
“The NSW Liberals will back our police with stronger powers, additional resources and tougher penalties for firearms trafficking and illegal gun possession.”
Under the plan, the Liberals will increase funding for the NSW Firearms Registry, strengthen specialist police units targeting organised crime and terrorism, and introduce tougher penalties for firearms trafficking, including life imprisonment for the most serious offences.
“As someone who held the firearms licence for the Laurieton United Services Club for 24 years, I welcome the proposal to increase funding to a very under resourced service.
The policy will also strengthen Firearms Prohibition Orders and establish a Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence and Community Safety to focus on emerging threats including terrorism, violent extremism and firearms trafficking.
Mr Dwyer said the Liberals would also scrap Labor’s firearm caps for primary producers and competition shooters who can demonstrate a genuine need.
“Farmers should not be punished because Labor failed to properly consult with the people most affected by these changes,” Mr Dwyer said.
“From a personal point of view, having my in-laws on a large farm west of Dubbo I fully appreciate the impact of the Labor Government’s legislation.
“A Liberal Government will establish a Commission of Inquiry to review Labor’s firearms laws, ensure policy is guided by evidence and consultation, and deliver reforms that are fair, practical and focused on public safety.”
The Liberals have also committed to freezing Labor’s firearm buyback program until the inquiry has reported, ensuring licensed firearm owners are not forced to surrender firearms before a thorough review is completed.
“This is about common sense,” Mr Dwyer said.
“We can maintain strong firearms controls while focusing the full force of the law on criminals, gangs and terrorists who pose a genuine threat to community safety.”
For clarification, when the Parliament was debating Labor’s firearms policy on 22nd September, I was on personal leave and wasn’t in Parliament so I couldn’t vote.
Media Contact: Terry Sara 6584 0977 or 0409 834 648
