The news Gun Control Australia is taking the Premier of Tasmania to court over his refusal to disclose whether the Liberals’ firearms election policy contravene the National Firearms Agreement is welcome.
Gun Control Australia’s proceedings in the Supreme Court against the Premier is based on his refusal to release the Police Minister’s advice under Right to Information because it is “contrary to the public interest”.
Changes to gun laws are by their very nature entirely public interest. Tasmanians, due to our recent tragic history, are very attached to the protections offered by the State’s firearms laws.
Not only did the Liberals try and hide the secret deal they did with shooters and the gun lobby before the state election, they‘re still attempting to hide the multiple changes that would substantially weaken our state’s gun laws.
The Liberals’ secret deal with the gun lobby went viral across Australia when the Greens discovered and revealed it just days before the election. They were exposed on the national stage and held in contempt by the entire country.
Since then, Premier Hodgman has tried to distance himself from Tasmania’s outrage by supporting the Upper House Inquiry, designed to quietly mothball the unpopular and dangerous policy.
Given the public outcry when the secret Liberal gun policy came to light, it’s hard to see how the Premier can claim it’s is not in community’s interest to be reassured the National Firearms Agreement is being upheld by the Tasmanian Liberal Party’s policy.
Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens’ Police spokesperson
