With new gun laws passing both houses of federal parliament this week, Alannah & Madeline Foundation Senior Advocacy Advisor and Australian Gun Safety Alliance Convenor Stephen Bendle said firearms regulation is fundamentally a public health and public safety issue.
‘Policy settings directly influence suicide and self-harm, domestic and family violence, accidental injury and death, firearm theft and diversion, violent crime, and national security risks arising from regulatory inconsistency,’ he said.
‘In comparable public health domains – road safety, communicable disease, therapeutic goods –governments rely on independent advisory councils operating at arm’s length from commercial and industry interests.’
He supported the announcement by Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke of the creation of a National Firearms Safety Council, on the recommendation of Senator Waters and the Greens.
‘This Council will create a new opportunity for safety experts to work with governments on firearm harm prevention strategies,’ said Mr Bendle.
The right to a life free from violence
The Alannah & Madeline Foundation is named for Alannah and Madeline Mikac, aged six and three, who were tragically killed alongside their mother and 32 others at Port Arthur in Tasmania in April 1996.
The volunteer-driven organisation is driven by the belief that all children and young people should be able to live a happy and safe life, free from violence and trauma.
Yesterday the Foundation and the Australian Gun Safety Alliance formally thanked the Albanese government for introducing the new firearms legislation in the House of Representatives, along with Greens leader Senator Larissa Waters for her support in the upper house.
‘We know the Bill will strengthen firearm management in Australia and paves the way for jurisdictions to respect the expectations of the Australian community and pass the package of reforms that have been recommended through the National Cabinet process as soon as possible,’ said the Foundation.
