EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Mutual Recognition (Automatic Deemed Registration Exemption — Western Australia) (Firearms) Declaration 2025
Mutual Recognition Act 1992
This explanatory statement provides notes on the operation of the Mutual Recognition (Automatic Deemed Registration Exemption — Western Australia) (Firearms) Declaration 2025 (the Declaration). The information in the explanatory statement is an aid to understand the Declaration and should not be substituted for the Declaration.
Context and purpose
Part 3A of the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 of the Commonwealth (the MR Act) provides for the automatic mutual recognition of occupational registrations (AMR). AMR provides an entitlement for an individual to carry on an activity in a second State, under the registration covering the activity in their home State through Automatic Deemed Registration (ADR).
Section 42S of the MRA Act provides for the Minister of a State to declare, by legislative instrument, that a specified registration, whether for an occupation or for an activity covered by an occupation, is excluded from the operation of AMR. The Legislation Act 2003 of the Commonwealth provides for the making of legislative instruments.
Summary
Through this Declaration, the Premier of Western Australia has exempted a firearm authority under the Firearms Act 2024 (WA) from the operation of AMR in Western Australia.
Automatic deemed registration in relation to these registrations would have removed critical identity and security checks that could lead to the unverified and unregulated sale of firearms in Western Australia, which could put the public at significant risk.
Consultation
The Western Australian Government consulted with the local registration authority in which the exemption applies. The Minister is satisfied that the consultation undertaken is appropriate and practical for the purposes of making the Declaration and drew on the knowledge of relevant subject matter experts.
Hon Roger Cook MLA
Premier (Western Australia)