By Parliamentary Friends of Shooting – a boon for all shooters.
SIFA is proud to once again sponsor the federal Parliamentary Friends of Shooting (PFoS). This group was officially launched for the 47th Parliament at an event in Parliament House Canberra, hosted by co-chairs Senator Bridget McKenzie and Dan Repacholi MP.
SIFA CEO James Walsh addressed the group.
The PFoS is a non-partisan forum for MPs and Senators to support the Australian shooting industry, as well as experience and participate in the shooting sports.
The event was well attended by over 50 federal parliamentarians and their staffers who dropped in over the course of the evening and took the opportunity to mingle with SIFA representatives and other shooting industry stakeholders.
SIFA’s patron members were also represented on the evening, giving policymakers the opportunity to hear first-hand the current issues our industry faces.
Following the formal launch, SIFA facilitated a ‘try shooting’ event hosted by the Sporting Shooters Pistol Club (SSPC) in Canberra on the March 19th.
This was an opportunity for PFoS members and their staffers to experience handgun shooting under the close supervision of SSPC instructors.
Federal politicians and industry representatives together for the ‘try shooting” event.
There were smiles all round as political affiliations were forgotten and a spirit of friendly competition took over.
The SSPC did a great job of explaining the process of getting involved in handgun shooting and obtaining a license. This is always an eye opener for attendees as they learn the realities of the regulated nature of our industry.
On the pistol range
Again, SIFA Patron members were present at this event and were able to showcase their organisations and the commitment they make to the Australian shooting industry to all those who attended.
Later in the year, SIFA will host another ‘try shooting’ opportunity for our federal parliamentarians and their staffers, before ending the year with the annual ‘Pollies v’s Press’ Christmas shoot held at Canberra International Clay Target Club.
We look forward to furthering the PFoS over the current parliamentary term, where we will look to promote our unique and essential Australian industry and raise awareness of the issues that we face.
