Tasmanian State Election 2018: Premier Will Hodgman defends poll-eve firearms plan

UPDATE: PREMIER Will Hodgman has denied a Liberals policy on gun ownership was hushed up before the State Election.

UPDATE: PREMIER Will Hodgman has denied a Liberals policy on gun ownership was hushed up before Saturday’s election.

A policy that would increase the availability of some high-powered guns for farmers was not put on the Liberals’ website but emerged through media today.

It would grant greater access to Category C firearms, allow silencers, extend licence periods and treat breaches with infringement notices rather than a summons.

MORE: SHOCK PLAN TO CHANGE PORT ARTHUR GUN LAWS

Mr Hodgman said the policy had been circulated to stakeholders three weeks ago.

“Any suggestion it has just materialised today is patently untrue,” he said.

Mr Hodgman said the Labor Party had only released its policy on firearms in recent days.

Not all policies were uploaded to the Liberals’ website, he said.

But Mr Hodgman denied the policy would water down the National Firearms Agreement struck by former prime minister John Howard after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996.

“It was a Liberal government that struck the first National Firearms Agreement, we will never do anything to compromise that,” he said.

“This policy will provide a better ability for Tasmanian farmers whose livelihoods are threatened by browsing animals and pests to control them.

“And for those law-abiding recreational gun owners to operate ... with more certain regulations.”

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Lucy Turnbull lay a wreath during the 20th anniversary commemoration service of the Port Arthur massacre on April 28, 2016. Picture: GETTY IMAGES

Labor, the Greens and the gun control lobby have all slammed the policy.

The ALP would also introduce infringement notices and consult with farmers over their needs, but leader Rebecca White said there were marked differences between the parties’ policies.

”You only need to read them side-by-side to see that,” she said.

“No decisions have been made by Labor and none will be without first consulting the gun community and farmers.

“The Liberal policy goes too far — it is unacceptable to water down gun laws which had tri-partisan support after Pot Arthur and on the eve of an election.

“This is another hallmark of a secretive and deceptive government.”

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said secrecy had been a hallmark of the Hodgman Government.

“What else are the Liberals hiding in this campaign?” she said.

“The Liberals are the sneakiest government I personally have ever encountered.”

Gun Control Australia’s Tasmania-based vice chair Roland Browne called the policy “reckless”.

“This policy will see Tasmania squarely breach the National Firearms Agreement,” Mr Browne said.

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten bought into the debate on a visit to the North-West to campaign with Ms White.

“Australia was pleased and proud of John Howard’s work on gun control post Port Arthur,” Mr Shorten said.

“That is reinforced when we see coverage of overseas tragedies.”

EARLIER: PREMIER Will Hodgman is defending a controversial plan to water down gun laws on the eve of a state election.

Mr Hodgman says his Liberal team are trying to support farmers without defying a 1996 national firearms agreement struck after the Port Arthur massacre.

“We are as a state very aware of the sensitivities around these issues,” he told ABC radio today.

“We are seeking to find an appropriate balance — one which supports our families that work in the rural sector, but which is not inconsistent with national gun laws.”

The Liberals are proposing to double the duration of gun licenses to 10 years and make weapons such as pump-action shotguns more readily available.

The policy has been released to the gun lobby ahead of Saturday’s poll but not published on the Liberal Party’s website.

Premier Will Hodgman on the campaign trail with Justice Minister Elise Archer. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Mr Hodgman said his party had released 170 policies since the election was called, and it was typical to communicate directly with various interest groups.

The Liberals are expected to win Saturday’s poll — albeit with a reduced majority — after a slick and well-resourced election campaign based on jobs and the economy.

EDITORIAL: LABOR HASN’T MADE THE CASE FOR CHANGE

Labor Leader Rebecca White has rolled the dice on a bold policy to remove pokies from pubs and clubs within five years.

“We’re not banning the pokies, we’re saying they should be restricted to the casinos,” Ms White told ABC TV this morning.

“Government has a responsibility as a regulator of consumer protection. We should listen to the evidence and make decisions guided by best practice that protect the population.”

Labor only holds seven seats in the 25-seat state lower house, so will need to almost double its representation to win after four years in opposition.

Ms White is confident the party’s grassroots door-knocking campaign will hold them in good stead.

“We all start from zero tomorrow. We’re all candidates here,” she said.

“You don’t go into the election with 15 or seven seats. We’re on equal footing. We’ve got fantastic candidates who have been working extremely hard.”

This election is a referendum on fairness
For patients waiting for healthcare
For free public education
For people over profits
For affordable housing
For women’s reproductive rights
For upholding the Tasmanian brand
For honest government
For our future - vote Labor #politas

— Rebecca White (@bec_white) 1 March 2018

Poker machines rank among the most important bread-and-butter issues for Tasmanians.

“This is the third-biggest issue for people thinking about what switches their vote,” Ms White said.

“First is health, second is jobs, the third is poker machines. And the majority of Tasmanians support our policy.”

The Liberals can afford to lose two lower house seats and still cling to power. Both major parties are refusing to deal with the Greens to form minority government, but neither will say exactly what they will do if nobody claims the majority of seats.

The Tasmanian Greens are at risk of losing one of just three seats this Saturday, after a tough campaign without a central environmental issue such as forestry to mobilise support.

Former senator Jacqui Lambie is running a network of candidates, and while they are not expected to win any seats, the flow of their preferences could prove a deciding factor.

– with AAP