STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr SMALL (Forrest—Opposition Whip) (16:24): I rise today to give a shout-out to the Busselton Bunbury Rifle Club. I recently had the pleasure of attending the range, and there I found a most professional volunteer run organisation with a very welcoming culture focused on the highest standards of safety. The club has experienced an explosion in membership to some 400 in the wake of WA Labor's assault on lawful firearms ownership in my home state.

It was great, though, to see that the club opened its doors to me. To the surprise of some of its members—I don't know whether because I'm a washed-up sailor or a politician—I was able to shoot my .223 and keep up with the best of them on range, or so I claim. The reality is that lawful firearms ownership in our society poses no risk to the community at large, and to see a club based in volunteerism and an adherence to the highest standards of safety was very, very reassuring and something that should be supported.

The club faces hard times because of the Labor government's decision to flog off Defence assets across the country. The Coolilup Rifle Range is just one of those sites subject to a divestment process. I'm supporting the club to ensure that they can maintain their lease and their access for south-west shooters now and into the future.