Poor Policy Costs Elections
Queensland Labor has missed its chance to work with industry experts to develop firearms policy that upholds the spirit of the 1996 NFA and a contributes to community safety, security and sovereignty, says Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia Executive Officer, Rod Drew.
State Labor is at risk of losing some 20% of the primary vote and 51% of preferences in the electorates of Mundingburra, Thuringowa and Townsville as the party announces further restrictions on Licensed Firearms Owners.
In a Facebook post this week, Queensland Labor inexplicably vowed to double down on ex-PM John Howard’s ineffective National Firearms Agreement, despite polling that shows 84% of the Townsville region’s voters believe police resources should be used to target criminals not every day licensed shooters.
The National Firearms Agreement is neither binding on the state, nor upholds current day attitudes to safety and security, says Mr Drew.
“Queensland legislators know that current firearms rules don’t deliver to today’s community standards, but are pushing forward with more rules that will do nothing to improve the safety and security of the State and simply pit members of their own communities against each other,” Mr Drew says.
“Poorly drafted, sloppily researched and lacking in appropriate focus, Labor’s policys will mean more dollars wasted on policing law abiding firearms owners and less money spent on the real problems of crime,” Mr Drew says.
“Independent research shows that this issue alone could cost Labor the Queensland election,” he says.
“Queensland deserves representation that will better protect its people and places from the threat of illegally imported, unregistered and untraceable firearms. The rules being touted as Queensland Labor’s fix to gun crime will do nothing other than waste taxpayer money,” Mr Drew says.
Australia’s one million licensed firearms owners, dealers, sporting and membership organisations represent a significant voice in the community conversation around firearms use and ownership.
“Queensland’s upcoming state election will be a litmus test for political parties’ genuine resolve to implement world class firearms policy,” Mr Drew says.
The Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia is the peak firearms industry body and works in research, education, advocacy and safety promotion. Independent research cited above conforms to ISO-20252, the code of ethics and professional conduct for market research in Australia, and Australian Privacy Principles.
