Written questions to the Minister of Police from Eric Roy MP

This page reproduces a series of written questions put to the Minister of Police and Labour MP George Hawkins by National MP Eric Roy.

20277. ERIC ROY to the Minister of Police: What reports has he received on the value of a firearms registration scheme?

Hon GEORGE HAWKINS (Minister of Police) replied: I have received a number of reports from police, noting the value of firearms registration within the context of an overall firearms control regime.

20278. ERIC ROY to the Minister of Police: When does he expect legislation regarding firearms registration to be ready to come before Parliament?

Hon GEORGE HAWKINS (Minister of Police) replied: The Arms Amendment Bill No 2 is due to be reported back to Parliament early next year. I intend introducing an SOP at that time.

20279. ERIC ROY to the Minister of Police: When does he expect firearms registration to become law?

Hon GEORGE HAWKINS (Minister of Police) replied: I intend the law requiring all firearms to be registered to coincide with the commencement of the next phase of relicensing for firearms owners, in 2002.

20280. ERIC ROY to the Minister of Police: Why has the year 2010 been chosen as the time by when all guns should be registered?

20281. ERIC ROY to the Minister of Police: What process will be used to measure compliance with gun registration laws?

Hon GEORGE HAWKINS (Minister of Police) replied: As part of planning for the implementation of registration, I expect police to set targets by which the effectiveness of, and compliance with, registration can be assessed.

This reply also answers 20282.

20282. ERIC ROY to the Minister of Police: What level of compliance with new gun registration laws will be required to maintain an effective registry

20283. ERIC ROY to the Minister of Police: How will firearms with no serial numbers be registered under new gun registration laws?

Hon GEORGE HAWKINS (Minister of Police) replied: The information collected about each firearm will need to include information that enables firearms without serial numbers to be readily identified. This can be achieved by a combination of other identifying information, together with details of the license holder.

20284. ERIC ROY to the Minister of Police: Will firearms registration legislation come before Parliament as a new Bill or as an SOP to Firearms Amendment Bill No 2?

No answer received, but see 20278 above

20285. ERIC ROY to the Minister of Police: Does he expect any new firearms legislation to be put through the select committee process so that members of the public will be able to make submissions?

Hon GEORGE HAWKINS (Minister of Police) replied: Yes.

20286. ERIC ROY to the Minister of Police: When would he expect the Independent Firearms Authority to be in place?

Hon GEORGE HAWKINS (Minister of Police) replied: The establishment of an independent firearms authority is dependent on the introduction and passage of legislation next year. I intend the authority to be operational by 2002.

20287. ERIC ROY to the Minister of Police: What will be the functions of the new independent firearms authority?

Hon GEORGE HAWKINS (Minister of Police) replied: The first role of the firearms authority would be to advise government on the administration of firearms control. If appropriate, the authority would be empowered to undertake other duties relating to firearms control.

20288. ERIC ROY to the Minister of Police: Where will the funding come from to maintain a firearms registry and the independent firearms authority? The funding of firearms registration and of an independent firearms authority will depend on their nature, scope and timing.

Hon GEORGE HAWKINS (Minister of Police) replied: I expect Police to inform me of the financial impact of these issues as part of the policy process.

20289. ERIC ROY to the Minister of Police: What does he expect the annual cost of maintaining a firearms registry to be, compared to the present gun owners registry?

Hon GEORGE HAWKINS (Minister of Police) replied: The cost of adding new data to the existing firearms license data held by police will depend on the range of data that is collected and the transactions required to upkeep the register.