Page 209 - Week 01 - Thursday, 13 February 2020
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Initially, modern pentathletes used the pistol of their choice. Famously, US World War II General George S Patton competed with his .38-calibre pistol. In 1994 air pistols became the firearm of choice, firing .177-calibre pellets, signalling a more modern approach to the firearms. The changes to firearms technology in modern pentathlon culminated at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, where the laser pistol made its debut. This change made modern pentathlon safer to watch for spectators and allowed them to get closer to the action.
Australian modern pentathletes have a history to be proud of at the Olympic Games, dating back to Australia’s first appearance in 1952. Australia has had 24 competitors since then, and in 2016 Chloe Esposito became the first Australian to win gold in the event’s history at the 2016 Rio Games. Today the firearms used are known as laser target shooting devices or laser pistols or laser rifles. These fall within the definition of an imitation firearm under the Firearms Act. Accordingly, a permit would be required to authorise their possession and use.
The ACT has been approached by representatives of these sports to streamline arrangements so as to avoid the requirement for permits for athletes, coaches, sporting organisations and officials for the purposes of training, competing or otherwise participating in the sports of biathlon and modern pentathlon in the ACT. This bill makes an amendment to exempt participants, athletes, coaches and officials of biathlon or modern pentathlon from the requirement to obtain a permit for their laser target shooting devices used for the purpose of participation in their sport. Similar arrangements are already in place in New South Wales and Victoria.
The bill amends the Firearms Regulation 2008 to prescribe the Australian Biathlon Association, Modern Pentathlon Australia and Modern Pentathlon Association of New South Wales Inc as sporting organisations in relation to the above exemptions. These amendments will support and encourage local and interstate participation in these sports in the ACT.
Firearms should be an all-inclusive process of reform, one that encourages a shared understanding of and respect for the interests of licensed firearms owners, while still maintaining the public’s confidence in strictly controlling access to firearms. It is for this reason that I asked the Justice and Community Safety Directorate to undertake consultation during the development of the bill. As well as the stakeholders who advanced their ideas for the bill, the ACT government has consulted on the amendments with the Firearms Advisory Committee and justice stakeholders including ACT Policing. I thank all stakeholders who contributed to the development of the bill.
The amendments in this bill reinforce the underlying principle that supports Australia’s regulation of firearms: firearm possession and use is a privilege that is conditional on the overriding need to ensure public safety. The government is committed to building safer communities in Canberra, and amendments in this bill contribute to this commitment. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Mrs Jones) adjourned to the next sitting.
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