By Media Release: “Killing Small Business” – SA Police Backlog Chokes Industry
The Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia (SIFA) has raised serious concerns about excessive delays in the processing of routine permits and licence applications by SA Police Firearms Branch, warning the issue is now causing significant financial strain for South Australian shooting industry businesses.
Firearms dealers in SA are reporting major impacts to cash flow due to long wait times for permit approvals. Businesses are being forced to warehouse large volumes of stock while now waiting over two months for permits to be processed. In several cases, dealers are approaching the limits of their business overdrafts and facing closure of their business if these issues are not quickly resolved.
One business has reported that it can no longer order additional stock because its secure armoury is at full capacity which is restricting sales and future income. The delays are also affecting farmers and agricultural operators who are waiting on permits for tools essential to pest control and humane livestock euthanasia.
Further proving how big of an issue this is, SIFA has just completed our annual regulator performance survey and preliminary results for South Australia paint a dire picture. 91% of those surveyed were dissatisfied with processing times for permits, with 82% of all those surveyed citing delays with permit processing as their biggest business concern.
SA Police’s own public-facing information confirms the unreasonable and long wait times that are now four times longer than they were late last year.
SIFA has written to the Police Minister and Police Commissioner, calling for urgent action to resolve the situation and prevent further damage to businesses and livelihoods across the state, yet to date, we have not received a formal response.
Quotes attributable to SIFA CEO, Mr James Walsh:
“Dealers are sitting on hundreds of thousands of dollars in inventory because they cannot get permits processed. This is not just bad service; this is killing small businesses across the state.”
“Over 90% of South Aussie respondents to our regulator performance survey are dissatisfied with processing times, this figure should be ringing alarm bells in SAPOL and Minister Mullighan’s office.”
“South Australian firearms dealers aren’t asking for special treatment, they are just asking for basic levels of service, accountability and competence from the regulator.”
“Whether you’re a firearms dealer, car dealer or any other legitimate business, the SA Government needs to provide timely service as to not hamper or restrict trade.”
“South Australian businesses deserve better than this.”
ENDS
