Minister dodges questions on gun law reform after Wieambilla massacre inquest

A former police officer turned minister won't say if he supports gun law changes that could have prevented his colleagues' brutal deaths at Wieambilla.

Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie. Pic Annette Dew

Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie has refused to say whether he supports tightening gun control laws following the brutal murder of two officers and a civilian at the hands of mentally unstable shooters three years ago.

An inquest into the 2022 massacre of constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold, as well as civilian Alan Dare found their killers had severe mental health problems – one of which was a registered gun owner.

It recommended that Queensland follow in the footsteps of Western Australia and implement mandatory mental health checks for weapons licence holders.

Despite being a former police officer with 25 years experience on the frontline, Mr Purdie refused to say whether he supports this recommendation.

Asked six times on Saturday if he backed mental health checks for gun owners, or whether he would recommend cabinet seriously consider the key recommendation, Mr Purdie said he was still working through the report.

“I’ve read the report, It was a sad report, It was a sad day for Queensland,” he said.

“The coroner has suggested we spend the next six months reviewing it, because it’s a big piece of work, and that’s what I’m committed to doing.

“I will make sure that we go through it diligently.

Constable Rachel McCrow, 26, and Constable Matthew Arnold, 29, were gunned down at the property in the western Darling Downs, about three hours west of Brisbane.

Mr Purdie also refused to give his personal opinion on whether Queensland should adopt the mandatory mental health check.

“I think what we need to do is continue to crack down on criminals with guns,” he said.

“I think I’ve got the runs on the board when it comes to backing out police, and I’ll continue to do that.”

While Mr Purdie noted the tragic Wieambilla massacre, he would also not say if he believed that mental health checks -had they existed at the time- could have prevented the tragedy.

“What we need to do is continue to crack down and give our police all the resources they need to crack down on criminals with guns and protect themselves,” he said.

It comes after the Courier-Mail exposed the LNP’s relationship with pro-gun lobbyists, who have collectively donated $150,000 to the party since 2017.

Gun safety advocates have raised concerns the Crisafulli government could be persuaded by lobbyists to reject recommendations that tighten gun laws.

Shooters Union Australia President Graham Park has also publicly said he will lobby Mr Purdie against the recommendation for mental health checks for weapons owners in Queensland.

Mr Purdie, asked if he could guarantee that pro-gun donors and the Shooters Union would not influence the government, said he would continue to meet with all stakeholder groups.

“Matters of donations are a matter for the party,” he said.

The Wieambilla police massacre house. Photo: Liam Kidston

“But one meeting from one lobby group is not going to influence my lived experience of over 25 years on the front line as a police officer.”

Labor Opposition Leader Steven Miles said it was clear pro-gun donations were inappropriately influencing the government.

“It’s not good enough to not have an answer to these recommendations,” he said.

“It’s fair for them to take some time to work on what laws might look like and to consult with appropriate bodies, but to not even be able to say whether they think it’s a good idea, clearly shows that they are compromised by these donations and that they’re not acting with the safety of police coming first.”

Mr Miles said that Labor, on face value, supported the introduction of mandatory mental health checks for weapons licence holders.

“On face value, it looks like a good idea to me,” he said.

“The Labor government in WA has introduced those measures, and we’re calling on the government to do so too.

“They should also act alongside other states to ensure that all of our gun laws are aligned, so that you can’t use the weaker gun laws here in Queensland to purchase guns to take into other states.”

Party leader Steven Miles speaks to the media during the Queensland Labor's 60th State Conference held in Brisbane. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Sport Minister Tim Mander, in a separate press conference in Brisbane on Saturday, declared the Crisafulli government would “never” weaken gun laws introduced by former Liberal Prime Minister John Howard.

Mr Mander has denied saying he was “open” to weaker gun laws back in 2018, while also insisting his current beliefs were irrelevant.

“What I believe is not really relevant,” he said.

“It’s what the government will believe, and the appropriate Minister can make a response to that.”

Mr Mander then bizarrely noted that shooting was an Olympic sport.

“Yes, there is shooting in the Olympics, so of course, that is a pastime that is recognised by not only the Olympic movement, but in the sports world,” he said.

“So nothing’s going to change in that matter.

“But it’s important that people feel safe in public, and the government will ensure that in their response.

“Never would we weaken John Howard’s very, very well received gun laws.”

Originally published as Minister dodges questions on gun law reform after Wieambilla massacre inquest