The Hodgman Liberal Government will not do anything to compromise the safety of Tasmanians nor the National Firearms Agreement.

There is no doubt that in Tasmania our gun laws hold a particular importance.

Ask almost any Tasmanian where they were on April 28, 1996, and they will tell you exactly, and who they were with and what they were doing. The Port Arthur massacre is etched in our memories, especially as we approach the anniversary.

The only good thing to come from that tragedy was gun law reform. The nation’s concept of gun ownership and gun control was challenged like never before.

Australia answered with tough gun laws through the National Firearms Agreement, arguably the world’s toughest.

That agreement continues to serve and protect us and our way of life today.

This Government is as committed to the National Firearms Agreement today as we were then.

To suggest practical changes for the effective operation of the Act is sensible. Our gun laws have been changed several times, with 14 amending Acts since 1996, including recently when we made changes such as tightening storage restrictions.

It is unfortunate the circumstances of the reporting of our firearms policy in the election campaign have been used to create unnecessary fear in the community. As a result, our proposals have not been well understood.

Our proposals were not secret as claimed. They were circulated more than three weeks before the election to key stakeholders as a response to issues they had raised, with the instruction that they could share them as they wished.

The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party of Tasmania issued a press release on February 20 commenting on the policy, which is still available on its Facebook page.

As far as I can tell, Labor did essentially the same thing, the only difference being they quietly posted their policy, which is almost identical to ours, on their website just five days before the election.

The improvements we propose are not new nor radical. Every change we propose exists in at least one other jurisdiction in our nation. This is a contemporary middle-ground that balances public safety and the changing needs of firearm users.

type_quote_start This Government is as committed to the National Firearms Agreement today as we were then. type_quote_end

type_quote_start To suggest practical changes for the effective operation of the Act is sensible. type_quote_end

The policy mostly reflects strong input from farmers and other primary producers, as well as sporting shooters, hunters and collectors.

Like it or not, firearms are legal. They are tools of the trade for farmers and hunters, and equipment for sporting shooters, like those competing at the Commonwealth Games.

The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association told us that farmers are struggling, losing up to 30 per cent of crops to browsing animals.

Sporting shooters want to be on a level playing field with national counterparts, and hunters want a pragmatic approach to a legitimate activity.

Extending the licensing period from five to 10 years for Category A and B firearms would bring Tassie in line with Queensland and the Northern Territory. This would enable a staggered approach to the renewal process and remove red tape, while still allowing for police to cancel a licence.

Allowing primary producers to own and use a licensed and registered noise suppressor, not a silencer, would bring Tasmania in line with NSW and reduce occupational hearing loss. Noise suppressors were used in the acclaimed Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Program.

This would significantly help to manage the growing challenge of pests attacking crops and pasture, and provide a safer workplace for farmers.

Introducing an infringement notice for minor storage offences instead of a summons and confiscation will bring Tasmania in line with most other jurisdictions — a farmer who inadvertently drops a bullet on the floor of their ute could pay a fine rather than potentially losing their licence, their firearm and facing court.

Making Category C firearms accessible to farm contractors or agents occurs in several jurisdictions, while Tasmania’s laws only allow access for direct employees. This would keep up with the changing farm workforce, with farmers now using specialised contractors rather than employees for pest control.

This is an emotive issue and suspicion can run rife, which is why we support the proposed Legislative Council inquiry into the issue. This will provide a chance to put the facts on the table and allow all Tasmanians to have their say.

It will also allow Labor to explain how they issued a policy almost identical to ours, but now say they oppose many measures in ours.

There will be a range of views, and we will listen. Our key goal is to support farmers and responsible sporting shooters and hunters while keeping the community safe.

The National Firearms Agreement was written by a Liberal prime minister and a Liberal premier, and there is no way we would do anything to compromise it. Just as our record shows.

Michael Ferguson is state Minister for Health, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Minister for Science and Technology, and Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly.