Taking a knife to a gunfight
Farmers need more firepower, including self-loading rifles and pump-action shotguns, to kill the pests that are taking over their farms, and they need to be able to legally carry their weapons in their cars, says Wayne Johnston
WHEN the debate about the proposed firearm changes surfaced in early March, the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association called for a calm and rational discussion.
Sadly, in many cases our calls have fallen on deaf ears.
The rhetoric from many quarters has highlighted a lack of understanding of the processes and regulations that already provide exceptional protection to the community.
Even after more than 20 years, Australia’s national firearm regulations are still touted among the strongest in the world. This is something about which we should all be proud. Farmers, like everyone else, want their children and grandchildren to enjoy the benefits of safe communities free from violence.
As the state’s peak farming organisation, we are asked to take part in consultation committees every year, on everything from land tax and planning, to firearms and deer.
The Firearms Consultation Group was made up of 11 diverse groups that were also there to represent the interests of their members. We all understood recommendations that came from this group would follow due process before parliament and the people. Obviously, every group had its own key discussion points they brought to the table, and we were no different.
Whether people like it or not, firearms are legitimate “tools of trade” in our sector and, like every tradesman, we need tools fit for purpose.
The State Government’s Alternatives to 1080 Program, undertaken in 2010, showed significant financial loss to farmers by browsing animals. Since then numbers have risen significantly, which is affecting farmers’ ability to farm economically.
The program concluded that the only effective alternatives were firearms and fencing. This same study found that sound suppressors were an effective aid in controlling browsing animals and nuisance birds.
When you are out night and day trying to deal with populations that sometimes can extend to the hundreds, it becomes disheartening and abundantly clear that we need more options, and Category C firearms are one of those.
Category C firearms are not high-powered firearms and they do not include centre fire rifles. The holder of a Category C licence endorsed for primary production may only possess or use two Category C firearms, which can include a self-loading rim-fire rifle, selfloading shotgun, or a pump action shotgun.
The capacity for employees to be able to hold Category C licences for standard crop protection and pest control purposes builds on our options for browsing animal control, as does the capacity to own and use sound suppressors.
Just like other tradespeople we need to be cognisant of workplace health and safety on the job on the farm.
At the TFGA, another of our remits is to work to reduce the abundance of red tape that our members are required to deal with in the course of their daily business. This is why the option to extend Category C licences for employees, from one year to two years, was important to us. In this context we look forward to working with the Government, and the proposed Tasmanian Firearms Owners Council, to examine the viability of a simpler renewal process for Category C licences.
Regarding the revision of the “in use” provisions of the Firearms Act, this would not allow farmers to carry firearms in their cars whenever they like. It would literally allow them to cross the road. To cross a public road in between properties they own, to do the job they need to do.
Let me be clear. None of these constitute a threat to community safety. None of these will lead to more illegal firearms in the state. And, more importantly, none of the points breach the National Firearms Agreement.
As an apolitical group representing farmers who feed not only the state but the country, we are committed to advocating the best possible outcome for our members. We do this in the broader context of ensuring our objectives are consistent with community expectations and we welcome
Whether people like it or not, firearms are legitimate “tools of trade” in our sector and, like every tradesman, we need tools fit for purpose
the move for a review into these proposed changes.
We believe we have a strong case for our reasonable and progressive amendments, and that they will complement contemporary firearms legislation that will meet the needs of all stakeholders and the broader community.
We recognise that we will never satisfy the demands of all, but our objective remains the enhancement of agriculture in this state, which benefits all Tasmanians. Wayne Johnston is president of the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association.