Senate debates

Thursday, 15 September 2016

Motions

Gun Control

12:35 pm

Photo of Lee RhiannonLee Rhiannon (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) a video in circulation violently threatens a high-profile gun control advocate,

  (ii) the individuals in the video have previously been referred to the New South Wales Police for posting violent videos aimed at racial and religious minorities and the Greens, and

  (iii) former Prime Minister John Howard performed a courageous act in 1996 by pursuing national gun law reform; and

(b) calls on the Federal Government to:

  (i) maintain and strengthen the National Firearms Agreement,

  (ii) commit to a ban on the importation and sale of rapid-fire shot guns, and

  (iii) show leadership on firearms similar to that shown by Mr Howard, and work with state governments to have firearms laws amended to provide for the immediate cancellation of a firearms licence and surrender of all weapons when a shooter has displayed threatening, intimidating or offensive behaviour associated with their use of firearms.

Photo of James McGrathJames McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Stephen ParryStephen Parry (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of James McGrathJames McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

The coalition government is committed to keeping our community safe and has put in place a range of measures to keep illegal firearms off our streets, including investing $88 million to increase Customs inspections, boost the capacity of agencies to detect firearms at the border, enhance cooperation with the states and territories through the $116 million National Anti-Gangs Squad and close a legal loophole that allowed criminals to avoid prosecution for trafficking firearms parts into Australia. Today, in line with our election commitments, we have introduced legislation to double the maximum penalty for firearms trafficking to 20 years and introduce five-year mandatory minimum sentences.

Photo of Stephen ParryStephen Parry (President) Share this | | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Rhiannon be agreed to.