SFFP to contest Tasmania’s snap election

The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party (SFFP) in Tasmania has confirmed it will field candidates in next month’s snap election, campaigning on many issues including suppressors, the right to hunt, deer management and licensing of pre-1900 firearms.

Premier Jeremy Rockcliff called the election for 23 March, a year ahead of schedule, after his government lost the support of two independent MPs and was unable to continue governing in minority.

The election caught many outside Tasmania as a surprise, but the good news for law-abiding firearms users is there will be openly pro-shooting candidates on the ballot.

SFFP Tasmania secretary Phillip Bigg confirmed the party would be fielding candidates for the House of Assembly in the electorates of Braddon, Bass, Clark and Lyons.

“Our policy priorities for shooters will be getting suppressors legalised for centrefire rifles, establishing a ‘Right To Hunt’ and getting parliament to acknowledge the economic and conservation importance of hunters in the state,” he said.

“We’ll also be seeking the establishment of designated deer control areas for recreational hunters to shoot deer, rather than the absurd and expensive aerial culling scheme currently in place.

“As part of that, we will also be pushing for game meat processing guidelines to allow harvested game meat to be donated to community organisations.

“Medical overreach in firearms licensing, particularly related to mental health issues, is also on our agenda.

“We will also seek to have pre-1900 antique firearms laws brought into line with the rest of Australia and enshrined in legislation to prevent unelected public servants making changes without community consultation.

“In a similar fashion, we will seek to have the legislation amended to clarify international and interstate licensed hunters and sporting shooters do not need to apply for an exemption from the Firearms Act to shoot in Tasmania.”

SFFP’s Tasmanian election candidates are: