Occupational Health and Safety

[A. G. Maisey]

Stuart, I've been playing this game for almost fifty years now, and for a good part of that time, at a very involved level.

In this country we have full-time, paid professionals involved in the fight for citizens to keep and use arms.

In the state of NSW we have two sitting senators.

In the last federal election we fielded a candidate for the senate, regretably not elected.

The SSAA, and various collectors societies are continually involved in review of legislation and in negotiation with the relevant authorities. For the most part, the representatives of these organisations have a suitable professional background which allows them to deal on equal terms with bureaucrats and politicians.

The effort taking place in Australia is continuous, relentless, and cohesive. This has not always been the case, but in the atmosphere that followed the black operation that was Port Arthur, it became very obvious very quickly that a fully professional approach was needed:- that is what we have.

Your remarks may be well intentioned, but to somebody with my background your preaching does have an offensive ring. Before you start telling us how to do the job, I most sincerely suggest that you would benefit from a little experience of what we have to deal with in Australia.

Consider this:- the population of your entire country is less than the population of Sydney. You still have the luxury of an almost village-like environment. Australia is a totally different situation to that to which you are accustomed.