By SIFA Calls for Urgent Action on Interstate Hunter Licensing Exemption in Tasmania
The Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia (SIFA) has written to Tasmanian Minister for Police, Felix Ellis MP to highlight an issue arising from changes in the interpretation of Part b, Section 55 of the Tasmanian Firearms Act 1996. Tasmania Police are no longer recognising recreational hunting or vermin control as valid purposes for interstate firearm owners to qualify for a licence exemption.
Since the Firearms Act 1996 was enacted, interstate hunters have legally visited Tasmania for recreational hunting and vermin control without issue. However, this recent reinterpretation of the Act now places these hunters in breach of the law and at risk of criminal liability. Alarmingly, this change has been made without formal communication from Tasmania Police, leaving many hunters unaware of this issue.
The new interpretation of the Act is inconsistent with other Australian jurisdictions and will provide significant confusion for licensed interstate hunters and hunting and firearm businesses within Tasmania.
A report commissioned by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania in November 2023 highlights the economic significance of recreational hunting and shooting, including interstate hunters:
- Recreational hunting and sports shooting generated $88.4 million in GSP for 2022, with $48.0 million in direct contributions and $40.4 million in flow-on benefits.
- These activities supported 676 FTE jobs, including 438 direct and 238 flow-on jobs.
The report further confirms that “firearm licences from interstate can be used by interstate hunters.”, this clearly demonstrates that before this change, interstate licence holders who visit Tasmania to take part in hunting activities have been legally recognised.
In the “A Strong Plan for Recreational Hunting” statement on the Premier of Tasmania’s website, the Tasmanian Liberal Government has committed to:
“Maintain current hunting seasons and access for hunters to game species.”
The plan also states:
“An important part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future is to develop stronger communities and enhance our regions.”
This interpretation of the Firearms Act is in conflict with these commitments and threatens the economic benefits that interstate hunters bring to regional Tasmania.
SIFA has urged Minister Ellis and the Police Commissioner to act swiftly to resolve this issue. Under the Firearms Act, the Police Commissioner can approve recreational hunting and vermin control as valid purposes for licence exemptions under Part b, Section 55, without requiring legislative changes. SIFA believes this simple solution is essential to prevent further damage to Tasmania’s hunting industry and regional economy.
SIFA welcomes the opportunity to work with the Tasmanian Government to address this matter and ensure that Tasmania remains an attractive destination for interstate hunters.
References:
Tasmanian Government. (n.d.). A strong plan for recreational hunting. Department of Premier and Cabinet. January 6, 2025.
BDO EconSearch & AMR. (2023, November 3). Economic contribution of recreational hunting and shooting to the Tasmanian economy: A report for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. https://nre.tas.gov.au/Documents/Recreational%20Hunting%20Tasmania%20Contribution.pdf
