Hodgman’s dishonest assurance on National Firearms Agreement in tatters

• Right To Information reveals police advice on NFA breach
• Premier Hodgman gave assurance that is now worthless
• Does advice from former Minister even exist?
• Premier must release “advice” to give Tasmanians confidence
Premier Hodgman’s dishonest assurances that his attempt to water down Tasmania’s firearms laws does not breach the National Firearms Agreement is in tatters.
Shadow Police Minister Shane Broad said Premier Hodgman needed to release today the advice he claims to have received from former Police Minister Rene Hidding on which he based his assurances just a day before the March state election.
“This is an extremely sensitive issue that goes to the integrity of the Premier and the integrity of the advice he received,” Dr Broad said.
“Just one day before the election Premier Hodgman assured Tasmanians his policy to water down firearms laws did not breach the National Firearms Agreement.
“Today, RTI documents have revealed advice from the police that raise the serious risk that Premier Hodgman’s plans will breach the Agreement.
“Premier Hodgman can clear this up today. He can tell Tasmanians why he wants to put in place a policy around guns that breaches the NFA.
“He can explain to Tasmanians why he wants to extend firearms licences from five years to 10 years and introduce new firearms categories – both extreme breaches of the NFA, the pre-eminent guiding principal for firearm control in Australia.
“He should publicly release the advice he says he received from his former Police Minister Mr Hidding on which he based his assurances to Tasmanians.”

Shane Broad MP Shadow Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister