Bendigo’s Anglican bishop has hit out at comments made by Bendigo-based senator Bridget McKenzie about the controversial Adler shotgun, describing them as “unbelievable”.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bishop Andrew Curnow made the criticism in a strongly-worded letter to the Bendigo Advertiser in which he describes Senator McKenzie’s views as unhelpful and “potentially dangerous”.
Senator McKenzie was one of a number of government MPs to call for the reclassification of the rapid-fire Adler shotgun last week to allow it to be imported into Australia.
The gun was subject to a 12-month importation ban imposed by the Abbott government, which remains in place after the states failed to reach agreement on its reclassification on Friday.
In the letter, Bishop Curnow invoked the 1996 Port Arthur massacre and the legacy of former Prime Minister John Howard who introduced strict new gun laws as a result.
“I am sure that like many readers the memories of the Port Arthur shooting remain forever in our memory,” he wrote. “I was therefore shocked to read the comments by Bendigo-based Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie calling for the ban on the Adler rapid-fire shotgun to be removed.”
Senator McKenzie said she fully respected Bishop Curnow’s views, “but with respect, he is wrong”.
“I support the current National Firearms Agreement which has worked in this country since the tragedy of Port Arthur as I strongly back the licensed 800,000 responsible gun owners in this country,” she said.
“Crimes, in which firearms are used in Australia, in the vast majority of cases, are committed with illegal guns by unlicensed gun owners.”
Bishop Curnow’s letter also describes his belief the senator’s views are at odd with those held by “an overwhelming number of Australians”.
“Other nations look at Australia with envy as to what has been achieved in this nation compared with the rest of the world where firearms are too readily available,” he wrote.
“It is my hope that sanity will prevail amongst the political leaders of this nation and there will be no compromise to the present gun restriction policy.”
But Senator McKenzie refuted that suggestion, saying “I do not suggest any compromise to our guns laws as Bishop Curnow suggests but sensible classifications based on evidence not emotion”.
“The only discussion is around the classification of these lever action shotguns and that is a matter for the states and territories,” she said.