Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Home Affairs and Justice has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

In relation to question 1:

(a) CFAC made five recommendations or proposals on the operation of the firearms importation regime or firearms issues relating to areas of Commonwealth responsibility during the specified period.

(b) One of the recommendations has been included in a consultation paper prepared by the Attorney-General ' s Department. The public consultation period ended on 14 December 2012.

The next step will be to release draft regulations for public comment.

In relation to remaining questions the Minister and members of his staff met several times with members of CFAC as well as two formal meetings with the Council, on 22 October 2012 and 30 November 2012. During these meetings, a number of communication issues were raised, discussed and resolved. CFAC has provided further advice to Government on various firearms policy issues and is currently reviewing a consultation paper setting out various proposed amendments to the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 .