Politicians still play computer games with guns
Australia's political elites must immediately introduce digital firearms management systems to halt the illegal ghosting of guns across our borders and between our states.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
For too long - nearly a quarter of a century - Commonwealth and State governments have failed to live up to their promises to deliver a national firearms management interface to replace the mistake riddled, paper based, easily compromised firearms systems still used across Australia today.
In the course of my research for the Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia, I have been astounded, confused, disbelieving and angry at the serial neglect afforded the administration of firearms this far into the 21st century.
Despite advocacy by industry, the commitment of law enforcement, the exemplary behavior of firearms owners and more than 20 years on the calendar, none of the Australian jurisdictions responsible for Australian firearms management has access to a national digital interface.
Again. No Australian jurisdiction has access to a national digital firearms interface.
I have come across many excuses for this appalling breach of community trust: the gun lobby just wants it easier to get guns (false); Australia doesn't have the technical skills to make the interface work (false); the costs and obstacles are prohibitive (false); Australians aren't at risk (false); we fixed our problems in 1996 (false); banning all guns would solve all gun crime (false).
The comforting political narrative goes that we have the world's best, harmonised gun laws and that these should not be touched under any circumstances.
In more than 20 years as an historian, writer and communications professional, I have rarely come across such a collective political hypnosis.
The truth is Australia has least 10 different jurisdictions which make their own firearms laws and none - none - of these jurisdictions have access to a national digital firearms management system despite promises by Labor and Liberal National governments since all the way back to 1996.
If any politician was to listen to me - as a voter, a tertiary qualified researcher, a firearms dealer, and as a mother - I would simply say:
Snap out of it.
Snap out of it and stop playing computer games with guns.
Laura Patterson, Bendigo
I'm going to be a climate voter this time
This election, for my children, I am going to be a Climate Voter. I want to be able to look my kids in the eye when they are older, and tell them that I tried to stop this - when the planet is burning around us, when the coral reefs are all dead, when the rainforests are all gone, the sea turtles (one of their favourite animals) are extinct - I want to be able to say that I didn't just sit back and watch this happening.
People will say that I am alarmist.
But I believe the scientists, and the facts ARE alarming.
Our current government wants to talk about the cost of climate action. But I am terrified by the unimaginable cost of our inaction.
Laura Abel, Bendigo
A little ditty for the Federal Election
It's the working folk in Australia, that make this country great,
Small-businessmen we need them, and the cockie's still our mate,
But those Federal politicians, with their undeserving pleas,
Seem to smile when we're hurting, as they bring us to our knees!
----
They fight and scratch like cats and dogs, and never can agree,
Ain't it time they thought about, what's best for you and me?
They laugh at broken promises, but struth it's not a joke,
With half a brain they'd realise that this country's going broke!
----
There's too many in the dole queue, and millions badly off,
But the rich are fine in Canberra, with their snouts deep in the trough,
They'd never think to do a thing, about this economic mess,
What's happened to their brain-cells, is anybody's guess!
----
We're disgusted by their conduct, that we find so disapproving,
You can tell a pollie's lying, when you see their lips are moving,
And there's never any opposition, when they raise their pay or perks,
While the workers have to struggle, just to fund the pollies' lurks!
----
"We will always keep you happy, we won't add another tax,
Just take in all our bull-dust, and never ask for facts,
Just trust me and we'll help you, your vote will be adored,
Never trust the other parties, they will toss you over-board!"
----
We've lost the Aussie way of life, with a fair go one and all,
Now we have this little problem, that our country just might fall,
Folks can't afford to live OK, with high costs and interest rate,
All join hands and "thank" these scum-bags, for the monsters they create!
----
So if you feel we're going backwards, and you're hurting deep inside,
It's for Australia that you're pining, it's your Nationalistic pride,
We'll never understand the madness, why the pollies took this route,
We'll make good this next election, we'll throw all the beggars out!
----
So let us thank... them, for the budget,
Its hurts too much to see them fellas fudge it,
And if they think... we don't begrudge it,
This election ought to be the time to judge it!
Colin Young, Parkdale
Responsibility for election comment in this issue is accepted by editor Nicole Ferrie. Writers should disclose any alliance with political or community organisations. Election candidates should declare themselves. Send letters to PO Box 61, Bendigo 3552 or at bendigoadvertiser.com.au
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.