Premier says he won’t undermine National Firearm Agreement

Changes to gun laws in Tasmania will not compromise the National Firearms Agreement, Premier Will Hodgman says.

Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman says his government will not be watering down the state’s gun laws. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

CHANGES to gun laws in Tasmania will not compromise the National Firearms Agreement, Premier Will Hodgman said today.

Acknowledging that Tasmanians were still sensitive about firearms laws 22 years after the Port Arthur massacre — in which 35 people died — Mr Hodgman said the government would move slowly and carefully and with the full scrutiny of Parliament.

“We will not rush on any area of policy reform and particularly when it’s a matter as serious as this,” Mr Hodgman said.

“I give Tasmanians my full assurance and guarantee that nothing will be done to water down the National Firearm Arrangements ... that nothing will be done to prevent people from expressing their views. We will extensively consult and we’ll be subject to parliamentary scrutiny.”

The 1996 NFA placed tight restrictions on the ownership of full- and semi-automatic weapons and imposed tighter rules around the reason for owning and using firearms and how they are stored.

Liberal Party promises to shooting groups to review gun laws were revealed in the final days of the election campaign.

Mr Hodgman said he understood that feelings ran high on the topic.

“Of course we are all sensitive to what has happened in our state and I respect the fact that people’s emotions are still very raw as are mine and as are every Tasmanians about what happened at Port Arthur.

“I have said repeatedly we believe that for those who work on the land, farmers, those who are law abiding recreational gun owners, there can be improvements to the laws in our state but it should not will not come at the expense in any way watering down the National Firearms Agreement.”

Mr Hodgman also used his first press conference after the election to reject claims the Liberals had bought their way back into government thanks to large donations and other support from the gambling lobby.

“It is patronising for anyone to state that an election could be bought or that people’s votes could be bought,” he said.

“How patronising can you be — Tasmanians know exactly who they’re voting for and the reasons for doing so.

“To tell anyone that they could be so stupid as to not know why they are making their vote, for what reasons, I think demonstrates political parties that are out of touch with the voters they seek to represent.

“I can say that claims that we spend $5 million on advertising is grossly inflated. But of course in due course all our donations and candidates and campaign expenditures will be disclosed.”

Mr Hodgman said that regardless, campaign donation disclosure laws in Tasmania — the laxest in the nation — would be reviewed.