Media Release | 28 May 2025
Basil Zempilas
Leader of the Opposition
Nick Goiran
Shadow Attorney General
Shane Love
Leader of the Nationals WA
The Liberal Party, Nationals WA, the Greens and members of the cross bench in the Legislative Council of the Western Australian Parliament have today joined together to successfully refer the Firearms Act 2024 to a committee for further scrutiny.
The motion to refer the Act to the Standing Committee on Legislation to review the operation, effectiveness and implementation of the Firearms Act 2024, including the regulations was supported by Labor.
Leader of the Opposition Basil Zempilas said numerous groups including doctors, police and farmers had cited flaws in the Act and Regulations since they were passed last year.
“We have never opposed reform. Everyone supports tougher gun laws to keep the community safe, but they must actually work,” he said.
“These rushed, unclear regulations have created significant uncertainty for firearm owners right across Western Australia, a point Police Minister Reece Whitby has already apologised for.”
Nationals WA Leader Shane Love condemned Labor’s rushed firearms laws as a shambolic mess that ignored clear, practical advice and created chaos for responsible firearms owners.
“These laws were bulldozed through without proper consideration of the consequences, and Labor arrogantly dismissed the expert and on-the-ground feedback provided to them,” Mr Love said.
“Law-abiding farmers, recreational shooters and collectors are now left navigating a bureaucratic nightmare. We’ve heard from people trying to do the right thing, but being given contradictory and often nonsensical advice, depending on who they speak to.”
“Farmers can’t get a straight answer on whether pest control firearms are now illegal.
Competitive shooters have had to cancel events because the licensing system is so broken it’s impossible to comply with. This isn’t reform, it’s regulatory vandalism.”
Shadow Attorney General Nick Goiran said the Committee could make recommendations for amendments to make the legislation and the regulations workable and effective.
“For the past four years, Labor has had total control of the Legislative Council and used its numbers to ram through legislation without regard for proper scrutiny and review,” he said.
“Thankfully, that is no longer the case. Today’s vote on the referral of this flawed legislation to a committee demonstrates that the Legislative Council’s role as the House of review has been restored.
“When the firearms legislation came into the Legislative Council last year, Labor used their numbers to stop the House fulfilling its role to properly scrutinise this large and important Act and its regulations.
“Labor have now been embarrassed into voting with all other parties in the Council to do what they should have done when the legislation first come into the House.
“The Cook Labor Government must be held accountable for the laws and decisions it makes on behalf of the people of Western Australia.”
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Graham Mason | 0419 194 792
