KATTER’S Australia Party is calling for more public consultation in the nation’s “biggest gun laws reform since the Howard era”.

KAP state leader Rob Katter said, after a year without substantial discussions, it was time for the state government to open up a line of communication with licenced gun owners.

Mr Katter said it was important the wider public was involved in discussions about firearms safety and the development of the new National Firearms Agreement (NFA).

A review into the NFA was ordered last year, following a recommendation of the Martin Place siege review.

The review aims to modernise Australia’s original firearm agreement, created in 1996 by the Howard Government.

Mr Katter said the state’s rural sector, including farmers, had been left in the dark with Queensland’s contribution to the review.

“The shooting community are always trying to work with the government, we cannot continue to let such a significant portion of the rural population be ostracised,” he said.

The MP has continued to call on the government to reinstate the Weapons Advisory Panel, which had he said worked constructively with previous ALP and LNP governments, to ensure a rounded view on firearms policy and associated matters.

“Last year we approached the former police minister on the issue of the Weapons Advisory Panel which was disbanded last February by the Palaszczuk Government,” Mr Katter said.

“Since that time there has been no consultation with those who will be effected by the new agreement, outside of the Queensland Police Service.”

Mr Katter said he will again be approaching current Police Minister Bill Byrne on the matter of the review, to ensure firearm owners are part of the conversation.

“At this stage, with only preliminary talks we have high hopes Minister Byrne will have a fair and open approach to the panel and the community of licenced gun owners,” he said.

“There are many initiatives that the group would hope to develop with the government, that can enhance safety measures and minimise costs to the taxpayer.

“As we have made very clear in the past, we will be doing everything within our power to ensure appropriate consultation around these laws takes place.

“We don’t want to see the government place any unnecessary restrictions against law abiding gun owners, sportsmen and women.”