False

Call for Submissions

Submissions closed on Thursday, 8 November 2012.

Objective

The objective of the Bill, as set out in the Explanatory Notes, is to amend the Weapons Act 1990, the Corrective Services Act 2006 and the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 to impose mandatory minimum periods of imprisonment where the offences of unlawful possession, unlawful supply and unlawful trafficking of weapons are committed in certain circumstances.

The mandatory penalties imposed by the Bill will apply to adults who unlawfully: 

• carry on the business of trafficking in weapons without a reasonable excuse, where at least one of the weapons is a firearm;
• supply weapons without a reasonable excuse, where at least one of the weapons is a short firearm;
• possess a firearm where the firearm is used in the commission of an indictable offence;
• possess a firearm where the possession of the firearm is for the purpose of committing or facilitating an indictable offence; and
• possess a short firearm in a public place without a reasonable excuse.

Other Information

The Weapons and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 and Explanatory Notes are available from the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel at www.legislation.qld.gov.au.

The Hansard transcript of the Explanatory Speech for the Bill can be found here.

Reasons for the Bill

Reasons for the Bill appear on pages 1-3 of the Explanatory Notes which can be viewed here.

Report

On 22 November 2012, the Committee tabled its Report No. 17, Weapons and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012. A copy of the report is available here or can be accessed at Related Publications.

The Government tabled its response to the Committee's report on 27 November 2012. A copy of the Government Response is available here or can be accessed at Related Publications.

The Weapons and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 was passed by the Legislative Assembly on 27 November 2012.

Referral

On 31 October 2012, the Minister for Police and Community Safety, Hon Jack Dempsey MP, introduced the Weapons and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 into the Queensland Parliament. 

In accordance with Standing Order 131 of the Standing Rules and Orders of the Legislative Assembly, the Bill was referred to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee (the Committee) for examination.

By resolution of the Committee of the Legislative Assembly, the Committee must report back to Parliament by Thursday, 22 November 2012.