New Labor weapons laws currently before Parliament would make violent criminals untouchable and leave police liable for prosecution.

 

Shadow Attorney General, Stephen Wade, said that Labor promised at the state election to “strengthen the capability of Police to combat weapons related violence[1]” yet their proposed laws would do the reverse – they would make “persons with a known propensity for violence[2]” untouchable.

 

“The new law[3] puts police carrying standard issue weaponry[4] in the untenable position of being unable to enter premises where a person with a weapons prohibition order is present. Police would be liable to a $10,000 fine or two years imprisonment,” Mr Wade said.

 

“The proposed amendments would leave police facing a choice between gaol or leaving their weapons behind when confronting potentially violent criminals.

 

“These laws will penalise police and protect violent criminals – the exact opposite of what they should be doing.

 

“The proposed changes could also stop a person attending a religious ceremony, their RSL or cultural association if there are prohibited weapons such as ceremonial daggers or war memorabilia present.

 

“The Liberal Opposition has already proposed more than 45 amendments to the proposed laws - that’s more amendments than clauses in the proposed law – and this problem is likely to necessitate more.”

 

“It’s just another Labor mess that we’re being left to clean up.

 

“Labor can’t be trusted.”

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