Dear Media …

Dear Media,

On the morning of 20/02/2018. We the Shooters, Fishers & Farmers Party published and submitted to all media outlets an open letter to Rene Hidding re: his proposal to improve firearms for farmers. This is no “watering down” as some in the media wants to portray. One only has to understand the intent of the NFA, National Firearms Agreement.

For some in the media to claim it was released on the eve of the election, we call bogus and suggest it was media political bias and blatant media attempt of interference in a demographic election process.

We encourage all to recognize farmers are hard working, honest and law abiding citizens. They deserve our support. Shooters, Fishers & Farmers Party encourage all Tasmanians to buy local produce, not imported inferior produce and its time we understand farmers require effective tools to manage their operations.

There was one media outlet, which did report our media release in a timely fashion, Tasmania Times. The evidence is out there for those journalist who actually want to pay attention to facts

Lorraine Bennett
Party Secretary
Shooters, Fishers & Farmers Party

Open Letter to Police Minister Rene Hidding

Wayne Turale Chair, Shooters, Fishers & Farmers Party Tasmania

20.02.18

Dear Minister,

It is of great interest that we here at Shooters, Fishers & Farmers Party Tasmania received a copy of your correspondence regarding your policy change regarding Recreational Firearm ownership and regulation.

SFFP Tasmania has viewed this and give cautious support to these proposed regulation changes. You will recall first meeting myself and my Vice Chair Ken Orr at Gretna last winter where we tabled to you our concerns.

I thank you again for taking the time to do this with us.

We accept that you did in fact listen and address the many concerns that we, Shooters, Fishers & Farmers Party Tasmania and others have made to you regarding the way FAS, Firearms Services was being administered and the unnecessary angst it was causing between responsible lawful firearm owners and Tasmania Police & Government Services.

We view your proposal as a positive step forward and hope that we can continue to work together in a positive way to make our community safer, foster good relationships between Tasmania Police and responsible lawful firearm owners in this State.

Our view is further simple steps can be implemented such as Standard Operating Procedures for storage compliance checks which will further assist both police and responsible lawful firearm owners and will we pursue this course of action.

Additionally, firearm storage inspections could be conducted by trained operators, further freeing up much-needed police resources

Our sincere hope is that your commitment as you have outlaid has been approved and ratified by the Hodgman Liberal Government and they have committed to its implementation both after the Election and also if in the event of a cabinet reshuffle or your possible retirement from Parliament.

Again, thank you …
SFFP Tasmania