Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Police, Fire and Emergency Management spokesperson
Today’s swearing in of Mark Shelton as Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management halts the work of the Parliamentary inquiry into Tasmania’s gun laws. The report of the Committee will be delayed due to Mr Shelton stepping down, just as it was when former MP Adam Brooks’ resigned earlier this year.
As former Chair of the Committee, Mr Shelton consistently presented arguments to weaken gun laws for the convenience of rural shooters. His support for previous Police Minister Rene Hidding’s plan to water down Tasmania’s firearms laws was thinly disguised.
Mr Shelton is now Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, a position that comes with great responsibility. He is obliged to put community safety first.
As their newly sworn in Minister, Mark Shelton must listen to Tasmania Police, who presented to the Firearms Committee and supported retaining the state’s existing strong gun laws.
Police don’t want more firearms in the community. Their officers, like health professionals, have a unique understanding of the risk to the public and the serious harm of gun violence.
Minister Shelton must put the safety of the community - and police officers - first and rule out weakening Tasmania’s gun laws.