The Alannah & Madeline Foundation and the Australian Gun Safety Alliance are bitterly disappointed that the Queensland government has turned its back on national gun reform.
Australian Gun Safety Alliance convenor and Alannah & Madeline Foundation advocacy advisor Stephen Bendle said:
“The Queensland Premier this week claimed to be strengthening gun laws, but the truth is that these reforms only enforce tougher penalties once a crime has already been committed. Alarmingly, some of his statements directly repeat the rhetoric of the firearm industry.
“Every other jurisdiction is considering significant reform such as restricting the type of weapons that were used at Bondi. restricting the unlimited number of guns that a person can have, strengthening background checks, and limiting licence periods.
“The Queensland Premier has ignored any of these preventative measures and instead used the firearm industry trope of ‘keeping guns out of the hands of bad guys’.
“The Queensland Premier has also ignored the recommendations of the Wiembilla Coroner in rejecting the call for mandatory mental health assessments for weapons licence applicants.
“In Queensland, 95% of people don’t own guns and yet the Premier has ignored the overwhelming public sentiment that supports stronger firearms laws.
“The firearm industry in Australia is strong and influential – nowhere stronger than Queensland. Their access to politicians is well known, and their political donations are on the public record. The Foundation had one brief meeting by Zoom with the Police Minister. As far as we know, that is the extent of the government’s consultation with the public on gun laws.
“The Queensland government has now fortified the weakest gun laws in Australia.”
About us:
About the Alannah & Madeline Foundation
The Alannah & Madeline Foundation was founded 28 years ago by Walter Mikac AM, and a small group of volunteers in memory of Walter’s young daughters Alannah and Madeline, aged just six and three, who tragically lost their lives along with their mother and 32 others at Port Arthur in Tasmania on 28 April 1996. The Foundation was established with the belief that “all children and young people should be able to live a happy and safe life, free from violence and trauma.” Our mission continues today through our Care, Prevention and Advocacy programs – we fight for their right to be safe, so their future is strong. www.alannahandmadeline.org.au
About the Australian Gun Safety Alliance
The Australian Gun Safety Alliance is a broad coalition of voices representing the interests of the community to ensure we remain vigilant on gun safety. www.gunsafetyalliance.org.au
Contact details:
Lana Burton - Head of Marketing, Alannah & Madeline Foundation
0499 202 001 or lana.burton@amf.org.au
