Legislative Council Thursday 1 November 2018

Ms  FORREST  question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

During the last term of the Hodgman Liberal Government 2014 to March 2018 -

(1)  Did the then minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Rene Hidding MP, have any meetings or communications with any representatives, members or lobbyists of the Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia?  If so, when and where were those meetings held?  What written or digital communication with SIFA occurred to and from SIFA?

(2)  Did Mr Hidding, the Liberal Party or any other Liberal candidate receive any funding at all or in-kind support towards the 2018 election campaign and, if so, how much?

(3)  Did SIFA fund any advertising promoting support for the Liberal Party or Liberal candidates leading into the 2018 election?  If so, what advertising or promotional material was funded?

ANSWER

Mr President, I thank the member for Murchison for her question. 

(1)  I am advised the former minister met with representatives of the Tasmanian Deer Advisory Committee - TDAC - and the executive officer of SIFA at the request of the Deer Advisory Committee.  The executive officer had commenced in the role after formerly being a regular provider of member representation to successive Tasmanian governments, including Labor and Labor-Greens governments, as a representative of Field and Game Australia.  The minister agreed to the executive officer accompanying TDAC to meetings of the consultative committee. 

       Consultative committee meetings occurred throughout 2017 in Hobart.  Following the 2015 amendments to the Firearms Act 1996, which included the Government strengthening firearm storage requirements, the Firearms Consultative Committee was reconvened to deal with the agreement by the Council of Australian Governments - COAG - to re-categorise one firearm, the Adler.  Given this requirement to amend the act again, the consultative group was requested to provide advice on any other legislative issues important to their members that could be considered by the Government when developing legislation.  The consultative group included game, target, sporting and primary industries representatives to ensure a full cross-section of stakeholder input.

(2) and (3)

       This is a matter for the Tasmanian Division of the Liberal Party which discloses donations received in accordance with the Australian Electoral Commission requirements that apply to political candidates and parties.

Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia - Meetings with Former Minister

Ms  FORREST  question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

Mr President, I was careful to make this question very clear and the question was -

(1)  Did the then minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Rene Hidding MP, have any meetings or communication with any representatives, members or lobbyists of the Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia? 

What I heard was about the consultative committee and we know what they were established for and the purpose of them.  I was asking for particular communications between the minister and SIFA, and that was not addressed.  I will resubmit the question, but I do not know how I can make it any clearer.