Felix Ellis disbands Tasmania’s Firearms Consultative Committee

Police Minister Felix Ellis has disbanded the state’s Firearms Advisory Committee after just two meetings.

The committee was formed in February after the Tasmanian government committed to delivering firearm reforms in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack.

But following the release of draft gun law reforms, the nine-person committee has been disbanded.

“The Firearms Consultative Committee was an important part of getting the legislation to this point,” Mr Ellis said.

“I want to thank all of the people who’ve been involved in that.

“I think we can all be really encouraged with the level of agreement that we found on the core issues.

“Now, of course, the consultative committee didn’t agree on everything, and that’s the nature of these kinds of processes, but from that consultation, the government’s developed legislation, and we’ve now provided it for every other Tasmanian to be able to have their say as well.”

The committee’s first communique noted that caps on the number of firearms an individual can own had been discussed but not resolved.

The government has ruled out imposing caps despite Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams calling for it.

Labor police spokeswoman Jen Butler said she was greatly concerned by the decision to disband the Firearms Consultative Committee.

“The Minister has already disregarded the strong advice of his Police Commissioner,” Ms Butler said.

“How can Tasmanians have faith that the Government is committed to genuine consultation when he’s turning his back on experts in the field after only two meetings?

“When every other state is leaning into consultative mechanisms like this to help develop safe firearm reforms, why is Tasmania running away from it?”

Ms Butler said that during recent Budget Estimates, Felix Ellis failed to rule out that the powerful gun lobby had influenced the Tasmanian Liberals, or rule out accepting future donations from it.

“At a time when it seems like there’s a shooting or a gun theft in the news every other week, Premier Rockliff and the Liberals want unlimited guns in the community. 

“The Liberals are continuing to place their own political interest above the safety of Tasmanians and Tasmanian police officers.

“Labor does not support that, and Tasmanians don’t support that either.

“We look forward to working with the Parliament to deliver practical reforms that improve community safety while respecting the legitimate needs of primary producers, sports shooters, and recreational hunters.”

Greens police spokeswoman Tabatha Badger said it was baffling to see the firearm committee disband.

“The enormous question here is why?

“Why would Police Minister Ellis disband the Firearms Committee, intended to provide government long-term advice in the name of public safety, when firearms crime remains an issue in Tasmania?

“Did the committee not agree with the Minister’s agenda?

 “Was the Minister prepared to listen to the committee at all?”

Ms Badger said she wanted to see the details of the committee’s past meetings and their recommendations on the Minister’s draft firearms reforms.

“Tasmanians overwhelmingly want firearms reform to keep the community safer.

“Instead of playing pro-firearm politics, the Liberal Government should be strengthening their firearms legislation.

“The Premier committed in National Cabinet to reclassify some firearms and sensibly cap the number of firearms people can own out in the community.

“Firearms reform is a serious matter of public safety, and Tasmania needs a Minister and government who will listen to their concerns and act.”