Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Hansard source

There is a comprehensive regulatory regime in relation to the importation of guns and gun parts. In relation to the transmission of those by post, we have not only stringent regulations but also X-ray facilities. It is in relation to this very issue that gun collectors and gun enthusiasts, legitimate sporting shooters, have approached me about the transmission of gun parts via Australia Post. Indeed, they have complained to me about the fact that Australia Post will not convey these items. I can say that, in relation to any gun parts and guns which are listed, an import permit is required. You can appreciate that in some aspects it is hard to detect if you have merely a spring or one minor part of a gun which is sent in quite separately.

We have introduced controls in relation to the importation and ownership of firearms, which no other federal government has introduced hitherto. Indeed, we have worked closely with the states in bringing about as best we can uniform firearms laws, bearing in mind that we have nine different jurisdictions, including the Commonwealth. Recently, at the Australian Police Ministers Council, I put forward again a proposal to have a national firearms management system, which, I am happy to say, was supported by Victoria—but not by many others—to keep a list of all firearms legitimately owned in this country. That would go a long way to assisting law enforcement in controlling the trade in illicit firearms. Customs has in place a rigid regime in relation to the importation of firearms. If Senator Crossin is aware of any particular instance where someone has illegally imported an item or a firearm then I would urge her to bring it to my attention and I will refer it to Customs without delay.