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Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010

Legislation · Victoria · 2020
i Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 TABLE OF PROVISIONS Section Page PART 1—PRELIMINARY 1 1 Purposes 1 2 Commencement 3 PART 2—AMENDMENT OF FIREARMS ACT 1996 4 3 Definitions 4 4 New section 8A inserted 6 8A Proof of registration of firearm 6 5 Conditions applying to handgun licences 6 6 General discretion of Chief Commissioner to refuse longarm or handgun licence 8 7 General discretion of Chief Commissioner to refuse junior licence 9 8 General discretion of Chief Commissioner to refuse firearms collectors licence 9 9 General discretion of Chief Commissioner to refuse a firearms heirlooms licence 9 10 General discretion of Chief Commissioner to refuse a firearms ammunition collectors licence 9 11 Information which is required for an application for a licence 9 12 General discretion of Chief Commissioner to refuse to renew a licence or to alter or vary the conditions of a licence 10 13 Variation of licence for failure to comply with participation condition 10 14 New section 43B inserted 11 43B Review of decision as to period of variation 11 15 New section 46A inserted 11 46A Cancellation of licence held by non-resident 11 16 New sections 49A and 49B inserted 12 49A Restrictions on application for licence following cancellation 12 49B Review of decision as to period of disqualification 13 -- 1 of 35 -- Section Page ii 17 New section 54AA inserted 13 54AA Health service workers who are exempt from this Part 13 18 New section 57B inserted 15 57B Permits to assist in emergency or natural disaster 15 19 Requirement to keep register of transactions 17 20 Permits for theatrical armourers 17 21 Keeping of register 17 22 Approved handgun target shooting clubs—reporting requirements 17 23 Section 134C substituted 18 134C Offence to possess a firearm with no serial number 18 24 Notification of change of certain details 19 25 New sections 215 and 216 inserted 19 215 Transitional provision—Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010—interstate licence holders 19 216 Transitional provision—Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010—imitation firearms 19 PART 3—AMENDMENT OF CONTROL OF WEAPONS ACT 1990 21 26 Definitions 21 27 Application and construction of Act 22 28 New section 7A inserted 22 7A Exemption of health service workers 22 PART 4—AMENDMENT OF GRAFFITI PREVENTION ACT 2007 AND TRANSPORT (COMPLIANCE AND MISCELLANEOUS) ACT 1983 26 29 Amendment of section 3 of the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 26 30 New section 17A inserted in Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 26 17A Seizure of graffiti implement 26 31 Amendment of section 18 of the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 28 32 Amendment of section 24 of the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 28 33 Amendment of section 25 of the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 28 34 Amendment of Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983 29 PART 5—AMENDMENT OF LIQUOR CONTROL REFORM ACT 1998 30 35 Amendment of Schedule 2 to the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 30 -- 2 of 35 -- Section Page iii PART 6—REPEAL OF AMENDING ACT 31 36 Repeal of amending Act 31 ═══════════════ ENDNOTES 32 -- 3 of 35 -- 1 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 † No. 52 of 2010 [Assented to 7 September 2010] The Parliament of Victoria enacts: PART 1—PRELIMINARY 1 Purposes The purposes of this Act are— (a) to amend the Firearms Act 1996 to— (i) remove imitation firearms from the definition of a firearm for the purposes of that Act; Victoria -- 4 of 35 -- Part 1—Preliminary Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 2 (ii) provide that evidence that a firearm has no serial number or has a serial number which is illegible is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof that the firearm is unregistered; (iii) exempt health service workers from the requirement to hold firearms licences in respect of firearms handled by those workers in the course of their employment with a health service; (iv) make other amendments to that Act in relation to the licensing of firearms; (b) to amend the Control of Weapons Act 1990 to— (i) include imitation firearms within the definition of prohibited weapons; (ii) exempt health service workers from any liability in respect of controlled weapons handled by those workers in the course of their employment with a health service; (c) to amend the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 to— (i) permit an authorised transport officer to seize graffiti implements that the officer believes have been, or will be, used to commit an offence; (ii) permit Councils to remove graffiti from private property without giving notice or obtaining permission from the owner or occupier where notice has been given and permission obtained previously; s. 1 -- 5 of 35 -- Part 1—Preliminary Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 3 (d) to amend the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983 to make amendments consequential to the changes to the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 referred to in paragraph (c)(i); (e) to amend the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 to include disorderly conduct under section 17A of the Summary Offences Act 1966 as an offence for the purposes of banning notices and exclusion orders. 2 Commencement (1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act comes into operation on a day or days to be proclaimed. (2) If a provision of this Act does not come into operation before 1 July 2011, it comes into operation on that day. __________________ s. 2 -- 6 of 35 -- Part 2—Amendment of Firearms Act 1996 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 4 PART 2—AMENDMENT OF FIREARMS ACT 1996 3 Definitions (1) In section 3(1) of the Firearms Act 1996— (a) for the definition of approved handgun target shooting match substitute— "approved handgun target shooting match means— (a) a competitive target shooting match approved by the Chief Commissioner that is conducted by an approved handgun target shooting club at an approved shooting range; or (b) a handgun target shooting match conducted in another State or a Territory that is recognised by the Chief Commissioner under section 16(12)(a) to be an approved handgun target shooting match;"; (b) insert the following definitions— "serial number, of a firearm, means a number that enables the firearm to be individually identified that has been— (a) assigned to the firearm by its manufacturer; or (b) stamped or otherwise affixed to the firearm in accordance with section 119A or 119B; s. 3 See: Act No. 66/1996. Reprint No. 5 as at 1 September 2008 and amending Act Nos 12/2008, 34/2008, 52/2008, 68/2008, 25/2009, 55/2009, 69/2009 and 13/2010. LawToday: www. legislation. vic.gov.au -- 7 of 35 -- Part 2—Amendment of Firearms Act 1996 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 5 work purposes in Victoria, in relation to the requirement to hold a firearm licence, means that the applicant or the holder of the licence, as the case may be— (a) is required under a contract of employment or a contract for services to hold a Victorian firearm licence; or (b) in the normal course of conducting a business is required to hold a Victorian firearm licence."; (c) in the definition of firearm— (i) for "in parts and whether or not operable or complete or temporarily or permanently inoperable or incomplete—" substitute "in parts—"; (ii) in paragraph (a), for "mechanical means; or" substitute "mechanical means; and"; (iii) for paragraph (b) substitute— "(b) whether or not operable or complete or temporarily or permanently inoperable or incomplete—"; (d) in the definition of vehicle for "vessel." substitute "vessel;". (2) Section 3(2) of the Firearms Act 1996 is repealed. s. 3 -- 8 of 35 -- Part 2—Amendment of Firearms Act 1996 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 6 4 New section 8A inserted After section 8 of the Firearms Act 1996 insert— "8A Proof of registration of firearm In any proceedings for an offence under this Act, evidence that— (a) a firearm does not have a serial number; or (b) the serial number of a firearm has been erased, defaced or altered; or (c) the serial number of a firearm is illegible— is admissible to establish that the firearm is not registered and, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, is proof of that fact.". 5 Conditions applying to handgun licences (1) For section 16(8) of the Firearms Act 1996 substitute— "(8) For the purposes of this section, a handgun target shoot must be— (a) a handgun target shoot that is— (i) conducted for the purposes of preparation for participation in an approved handgun target shooting match; and (ii) organised by an approved handgun target shooting club; and (iii) conducted on an approved shooting range; or s. 4 -- 9 of 35 -- Part 2—Amendment of Firearms Act 1996 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 7 (b) a handgun target shoot conducted in another State or a Territory that is recognised by the Chief Commissioner under subsection (12)(b) as complying with paragraph (a).". (2) After section 16(11) of the Firearms Act 1996 insert— "(12) The Chief Commissioner may recognise— (a) a handgun target shooting match conducted in another State or a Territory to be an approved handgun target shooting match; or (b) a handgun target shoot conducted in another State or a Territory to be a handgun target shoot that complies with subsection (8)(a). (13) The participation by a person in a handgun target shooting match conducted in another State or a Territory that the Chief Commissioner has recognised under subsection (12)(a) does not count as participation in an approved handgun target shooting match for the purposes of this section and section 123C(1)(c) unless the Chief Commissioner is satisfied that the person participated in that handgun target shooting match. (14) The participation by a person in a handgun target shoot conducted in another State or a Territory that the Chief Commissioner has recognised under subsection (12)(b) does not count as participation in a handgun target shoot for the purposes of this section unless the Chief Commissioner is satisfied that the person participated in that handgun target shoot. s. 5 -- 10 of 35 -- Part 2—Amendment of Firearms Act 1996 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 8 (15) A person who participates in a handgun target shooting match or a handgun target shoot conducted in another State or a Territory must provide evidence of the participation and details of each weapon used to the approved handgun target shooting club of which the person is a member or, if the person is a member of more than one such club, the club which has been nominated by the person as his or her principal club. Note Under section 123C a handgun target shooting club must report to the Chief Commissioner the participation by its members in any handgun target shooting matches or handgun target shoots conducted in another State or a Territory. (16) The Chief Commissioner may, at any time before deciding whether or not a person has participated in a handgun target shooting match or a handgun target shoot conducted in another State or a Territory, require the person to produce evidence of that participation.". 6 General discretion of Chief Commissioner to refuse longarm or handgun licence After section 17(a) of the Firearms Act 1996 insert— "(ab) if the applicant is not ordinarily resident in Victoria unless— (i) the Chief Commissioner is satisfied that the applicant requires the licence for work purposes in Victoria; and (ii) the applicant is not a person to whom section 185(2A) or (2B) applies; or". s. 6 -- 11 of 35 -- Part 2—Amendment of Firearms Act 1996 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 9 7 General discretion of Chief Commissioner to refuse junior licence After section 20(a) of the Firearms Act 1996 insert— "(ab) if the applicant is not ordinarily resident in Victoria; or". 8 General discretion of Chief Commissioner to refuse firearms collectors licence After section 23(a) of the Firearms Act 1996 insert— "(ab) if the applicant is not ordinarily resident in Victoria; or". 9 General discretion of Chief Commissioner to refuse a firearms heirlooms licence After section 27(a) of the Firearms Act 1996 insert— "(ab) if the applicant is not ordinarily resident in Victoria; or". 10 General discretion of Chief Commissioner to refuse a firearms ammunition collectors licence After section 29(a) of the Firearms Act 1996 insert— "(ab) if the applicant is not ordinarily resident in Victoria; or". 11 Information which is required for an application for a licence After section 32(1) of the Firearms Act 1996 insert— "(1A) If a person who is not ordinarily resident in Victoria applies for a longarm or handgun licence on the basis that the licence is required for work purposes in Victoria, the Chief Commissioner may require the person s. 7 -- 12 of 35 -- Part 2—Amendment of Firearms Act 1996 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 10 to provide evidence that the work purposes are genuine and that they require the person to hold a Victorian firearm licence.". 12 General discretion of Chief Commissioner to refuse to renew a licence or to alter or vary the conditions of a licence After section 42(2)(b) of the Firearms Act 1996 insert— "(ba) if the applicant is not ordinarily resident in Victoria unless— (i) the Chief Commissioner is satisfied that the applicant requires the licence for work purposes in Victoria; and (ii) the applicant is not a person to whom section 185(2A) or (2B) applies; or". 13 Variation of licence for failure to comply with participation condition (1) In section 43A(1) of the Firearms Act 1996 omit "for the period specified in the variation by the Chief Commissioner, or, if no period is specified, the period of 12 months". (2) After section 43A(1) of the Firearms Act 1996 insert— "(1A) The variation of a condition by the Chief Commissioner under subsection (1) remains in force— (a) in the case of a first variation of condition, for a period of 3 months from the date on which the variation is made; or s. 12 -- 13 of 35 -- Part 2—Amendment of Firearms Act 1996 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 11 (b) in the case of a second or subsequent variation— (i) for the period specified by the Chief Commissioner in the variation, which must be not less than 3 months and not more than 12 months from the date on which the variation is made; or (ii) if the Chief Commissioner does not specify a period in the variation, for a period of 12 months from the date on which the variation is made.". 14 New section 43B inserted After section 43A of the Firearms Act 1996 insert— "43B Review of decision as to period of variation A person may apply to the Committee for a review of a decision of the Chief Commissioner as to the period of time specified by the Chief Commissioner under section 43A(1A)(b)(i).". 15 New section 46A inserted After section 46 of the Firearms Act 1996 insert— "46A Cancellation of licence held by non-resident (1) If the Chief Commissioner is satisfied that the holder of a licence under this Part is not ordinarily resident in Victoria and does not require the licence for work purposes in Victoria, the Chief Commissioner must cancel the licence. s. 14 -- 14 of 35 -- Part 2—Amendment of Firearms Act 1996 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 12 (2) The Chief Commissioner must give written notification to the holder of the licence of the cancellation of the licence. (3) Subject to subsection (4), the holder of the licence may apply to the Committee for a review of the decision of the Chief Commissioner to cancel the licence. (4) An application to the Committee under subsection (3) may only be made on the ground that the holder of the licence that has been cancelled is ordinarily resident in Victoria or that the holder of the licence requires the licence for work purposes in Victoria.". 16 New sections 49A and 49B inserted After section 49 of the Firearms Act 1996 insert— "49A Restrictions on application for licence following cancellation (1) This section applies if the Chief Commissioner cancels a licence under section 49. (2) The Chief Commissioner may specify a period of time (not being more than 12 months after the date of cancellation) within which the person who held the licence is not entitled to apply for such a licence. (3) If the Chief Commissioner does not specify a period, the person who held the licence is not entitled to apply for such a licence for a period of 12 months after the date of cancellation. (4) If the person who held the licence applies for the same category of licence, the application is taken to be an application for a new s. 16 -- 15 of 35 -- Part 2—Amendment of Firearms Act 1996 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 13 licence and not for the renewal of the licence that was cancelled. 49B Review of decision as to period of disqualification A person whose licence has been cancelled under section 49 may apply to the Committee for a review of a decision of the Chief Commissioner under section 49A(2) specifying the period of time within which the person is not entitled to apply for such a licence.". 17 New section 54AA inserted After section 54 of the Firearms Act 1996 insert— "54AA Health service workers who are exempt from this Part (1) A health professional or health service security guard who is not a prohibited person and who possesses or carries a firearm in a health service facility in the circumstances set out in subsection (3) does not commit an offence against section 6, 6A, 7, 7A or 7B for so doing and is not required to hold a licence under this Part. (2) An ambulance officer who is not a prohibited person and who possesses or carries a firearm in a health service facility or public place in the circumstances set out in subsection (3) does not commit an offence against section 6, 6A, 7, 7A, 7B or 130(1) for so doing and is not required to hold a licence under this Part. (3) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), the circumstances are that the health professional, health service security guard or ambulance worker— s. 17 -- 16 of 35 -- Part 2—Amendment of Firearms Act 1996 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 14 (a) is carrying out his or her duties as a health professional, health service security guard or ambulance worker, as the case may be; and (b) either— (i) is given the firearm by a patient; or (ii) removes the firearm from a patient; or (iii) finds the firearm in the vicinity of the patient; or (iv) is given the firearm by a health professional or ambulance worker who has taken possession of the firearm in the circumstances set out in this subsection. (4) A health professional, health security guard or ambulance worker who takes possession of a firearm in the circumstances set out in subsection (3) must notify a member of the police force as soon as practicable after having taken possession of the firearm. (5) The possession or carriage of a firearm by a health security guard in a health services facility in the circumstances set out in subsection (3) does not affect the operation of any licence held by the health security guard under this Part as a requirement of his or her work or contravene any conditions to which the licence is subject. (6) In this section— ambulance worker means an operational staff member of the ambulance services as defined in the Ambulance Services Act 1986; s. 17 -- 17 of 35 -- Part 2—Amendment of Firearms Act 1996 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 15 health professional means— (a) a registered medical practitioner; (b) a nurse or midwife; (c) a registered psychologist; health security guard means a security guard licensed under the Private Security Act 2004 when working in a health service facility as a contractor or an employee; health service facility means— (a) a day procedure centre; or (b) a denominational hospital; or (c) a multi purpose service; or (d) a private hospital; or (e) a public health service; or (f) a public hospital— as defined in the Health Services Act 1988.". 18 New section 57B inserted After section 57A of the Firearms Act 1996 insert— "57B Permits to assist in emergency or natural disaster (1) The Chief Commissioner may grant to a person a permit to possess, carry or use a category of firearm if— (a) the person holds a licence or permit to possess, carry or use that category of firearm issued in another State or a Territory that is the equivalent of a licence or permit issued under this Part; or s. 18 -- 18 of 35 -- Part 2—Amendment of Firearms Act 1996 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 16 (b) the person is exempt under the laws of another State or a Territory from the requirement to hold a licence for that category of firearm. (2) The Chief Commissioner must not grant a permit under subsection (1) unless the Chief Commissioner is satisfied that it is necessary to do so to assist in an emergency or a natural disaster. (3) A permit under this section remains in force for the period specified by the Chief Commissioner in the permit, which must not be more than 3 months. (4) Subject to subsection (3), the Chief Commissioner may impose any conditions on the permit that the Chief Commissioner thinks fit. (5) The conditions that the Chief Commissioner may impose on a permit granted under this section may include conditions for or with respect to— (a) the carriage and storage of firearms under the permit; and (b) the circumstances in which the Chief Commissioner may cancel, suspend or vary the permit and any other matters related to cancellation, suspension or variation. (6) The holder of permit under this section does not commit an offence under section 6 or 7 when acting under and in accordance with the permit. s. 18 -- 19 of 35 -- Part 2—Amendment of Firearms Act 1996 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 17 (7) The holder of permit must comply with the permit. Penalty: 60 penalty units or 12 months imprisonment.". 19 Requirement to keep register of transactions In section 87(2) of the Firearms Act 1996— (a) in paragraph (a)(ii), for "and serial number" substitute ", serial number and, where known or available, model"; (b) in paragraph (b)(iii), for "and serial number" substitute ", serial number and, where known or available, model"; (c) in paragraph (c)(iii), for "and serial number" substitute ", serial number and, where known or available, model"; (d) in paragraph (d)(ii), for "and serial number" substitute ", serial number and, where known or available, model". 20 Permits for theatrical armourers In section 92A(4)(a)(ii) of the Firearms Act 1996 omit "an imitation handgun or". 21 Keeping of register In section 113(3)(a) of the Firearms Act 1996 for "and serial number" substitute ", serial number and, where known or available, model". 22 Approved handgun target shooting clubs— reporting requirements (1) In section 123C(1)(c)(iv) of the Firearms Act 1996 for "shoot." substitute "shoot; and". s. 19 -- 20 of 35 -- Part 2—Amendment of Firearms Act 1996 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 18 (2) After section 123C(1)(c)(iv) of the Firearms Act 1996 insert— "(v) each handgun target shooting match and each handgun target shoot conducted in another State or a Territory that that member competed in and details of each handgun used by that member at each such match and shoot.". 23 Section 134C substituted For section 134C of the Firearms Act 1996 substitute— "134C Offence to possess a firearm with no serial number (1) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, possess a firearm on which there is no serial number. Penalty: 240 penalty units or 4 years imprisonment. (2) In any proceeding against a person for an offence under this section, it is not necessary for the prosecution to prove that the person knew, was aware, believed or suspected that there was no serial number on the firearm. (3) In any proceeding for an offence under this section, it is a defence if the person charged had reasonable grounds for believing that there was a serial number on the firearm. (4) To avoid doubt, a firearm in which the serial number has been erased or removed is a firearm on which there is no serial number.". s. 23 -- 21 of 35 -- Part 2—Amendment of Firearms Act 1996 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 19 24 Notification of change of certain details After section 139(c) of the Firearms Act 1996 insert— "(ca) the holder's ordinary place of residence; and". 25 New sections 215 and 216 inserted After section 214 of the Firearms Act 1996 insert— "215 Transitional provision—Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010— interstate licence holders (1) This section applies if, immediately before the commencement of section 15 of the Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010, a person holds a licence under Part 2 and the person's ordinary place of residence is not in Victoria. (2) Despite section 46A, until the expiry of the licence, the person is not disqualified from holding the licence merely because the person's ordinary place of residence is not Victoria. 216 Transitional provision—Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010— imitation firearms (1) If, before the commencement of section (3)(1)(c) of the Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010, a licence was issued under Part 2 in respect of an imitation firearm and that licence is in force immediately before that commencement— (a) the licence remains in force after the commencement until the date the licence would otherwise have expired; and s. 24 -- 22 of 35 -- Part 2—Amendment of Firearms Act 1996 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 20 (b) while the licence remains in force and when acting in accordance with the licence, the holder of the licence is not liable for an offence under section 5 of the Control of Weapons Act 1990 in respect of the weapon. (2) In this section, imitation firearm has the same meaning as in section 3(1) of the Control of Weapons Act 1990.". __________________ s. 25 -- 23 of 35 -- Part 3—Amendment of Control of Weapons Act 1990 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 21 PART 3—AMENDMENT OF CONTROL OF WEAPONS ACT 1990 26 Definitions In section 3(1) of the Control of Weapons Act 1990— (a) insert the following definitions— "firearm has the same meaning as it has in section 3(1) of the Firearms Act 1996; imitation firearm means a device— (a) the appearance of which could reasonably be mistaken for that of an operable firearm; but (b) which is not designed or adapted to discharge shot or a bullet or other missile by the expansion of gases produced in the device by the ignition of strongly combustible materials or by compressed air or other gases, whether stored in the device in pressurised containers or produced in the device by mechanical means and is not capable of being made to do so; midwife means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law— (a) to practise in the nursing and midwifery profession as a midwife (other than as a student); and (b) in the register of midwives kept for that profession; s. 26 See: Act No. 24/1990. Reprint No. 4 as at 8 November 2007 and amending Act Nos 55/2009, 59/2009, 68/2009 and 92/2009. LawToday: www. legislation. vic.gov.au -- 24 of 35 -- Part 3—Amendment of Control of Weapons Act 1990 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 22 nurse means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the nursing and midwifery profession as a nurse (other than as a midwife or as a student); registered medical practitioner means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the medical profession (other than as a student); registered psychologist means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the psychology profession (other than as a student)."; (b) in paragraph (a) of the definition of body armour omit "within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Firearms Act 1996"; (c) in the definition of prohibited weapon, after "means" insert "an imitation firearm or". 27 Application and construction of Act In section 4(1) of the Control of Weapons Act 1990 omit "within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Firearms Act 1958". 28 New section 7A inserted After section 7 of the Control of Weapons Act 1990 insert— "7A Exemption of health service workers (1) A health professional or health service security guard who is not a prohibited person and who possesses or carries a prohibited weapon, a controlled weapon or a dangerous article in a health service facility in the circumstances set out in subsection (3) does s. 27 -- 25 of 35 -- Part 3—Amendment of Control of Weapons Act 1990 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 23 not commit an offence against section 5, 6 or 7 for so doing. (2) An ambulance officer who is not a prohibited person and who possesses or carries a prohibited weapon, a controlled weapon or a dangerous article in a health service facility or public place in the circumstances set out in subsection (3) does not commit an offence against section 5, 6 or 7 for so doing. (3) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), the circumstances are that the health professional, health service security guard or ambulance worker— (a) is carrying out his or her duties as a health professional, health service security guard or ambulance worker, as the case may be; and (b) either— (i) is given the prohibited weapon, controlled weapon or dangerous article by a patient; or (ii) removes the prohibited weapon, controlled weapon or dangerous article from a patient; or (iii) finds the prohibited weapon, controlled weapon or dangerous article in the vicinity of the patient; or (iv) is given the prohibited weapon, controlled weapon or dangerous article by a health professional or ambulance worker who has taken possession of the weapon or article in the circumstances set out in this subsection. s. 28 -- 26 of 35 -- Part 3—Amendment of Control of Weapons Act 1990 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 24 (4) A health professional, health security guard or ambulance worker who takes possession of a firearm in the circumstances set out in subsection (3) must notify a member of the police force as soon as practicable after having taken possession of the prohibited weapon, controlled weapon or dangerous article. (5) In this section— ambulance worker means an operational staff member of the ambulance services as defined in the Ambulance Services Act 1986; health professional means— (a) a registered medical practitioner; or (b) a nurse or midwife; or (c) a registered psychologist; health security guard means a security guard licensed under the Private Security Act 2004 when working in a health service facility as a contractor or an employee; health service facility means— (a) a day procedure centre; or (b) a denominational hospital; or (c) a multi purpose service; or (d) a private hospital; or (e) a public health service; or s. 28 -- 27 of 35 -- Part 3—Amendment of Control of Weapons Act 1990 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 25 (f) a public hospital— as defined in the Health Services Act 1988.". __________________ s. 28 -- 28 of 35 -- Part 4—Amendment of Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 and Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 26 PART 4—AMENDMENT OF GRAFFITI PREVENTION ACT 2007 AND TRANSPORT (COMPLIANCE AND MISCELLANEOUS) ACT 1983 29 Amendment of section 3 of the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 In section 3 of the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 insert the following definition— "graffiti offence means— (a) an offence against this Act; or (b) an offence against regulation 27, 27A or 48 of the Transport (Conduct) Regulations 2005;". 30 New section 17A inserted in Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 After section 17 of the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 insert— "17A Seizure of graffiti implement (1) An authorised transport officer may seize from a person a graffiti implement, using reasonable force if necessary, if the authorised transport officer believes on reasonable grounds that the graffiti implement has been, or will be, used to commit a graffiti offence. (2) Despite subsection (1), an authorised transport officer must not seize a graffiti implement under that subsection unless— (a) the authorised transport officer— (i) has complied with the requirements of section 218B of the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983; and See: Act No. 59/2007 and amending Act No. 6/2010. LawToday: www. legislation. vic.gov.au s. 29 -- 29 of 35 -- Part 4—Amendment of Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 and Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 27 (ii) informed the person in possession of the graffiti implement of the grounds for his or her belief that the graffiti implement has been, or will be, used to commit a graffiti offence; and (iii) asked the person to hand over the graffiti implement; and (iv) informed the person that the authorised transport officer has the power under this Act to seize the graffiti implement in these circumstances; and (b) the graffiti implement is fully or partially visible immediately before it is seized. (3) If the person voluntarily hands over the graffiti implement, the graffiti implement is taken to have been seized under this section. (4) Nothing in this section authorises an authorised transport officer to search a person or to seize anything that is not fully or partially visible immediately before it is seized. (5) In this section, authorised transport officer means a person authorised by the Director of Public Transport under section 221A or 221AB of the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983.". s. 30 -- 30 of 35 -- Part 4—Amendment of Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 and Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 28 31 Amendment of section 18 of the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 After section 18(3) of the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 insert— "(3A) Within 12 months after a Council has taken action under subsection (3) to remove or obliterate graffiti on private property and subject to subsection (3B), the Council may take further action to remove or obliterate graffiti subsequently marked on the property without giving notice to, or obtaining the consent of, the owner or occupier. (3B) A Council may not take further action under subsection (3A) to remove or obliterate graffiti marked on a property if the Council has received from the owner or occupier of the property an objection to the further action being taken.". 32 Amendment of section 24 of the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 In section 24(1) of the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 for "an offence against this Act" (wherever occurring) substitute "a graffiti offence". 33 Amendment of section 25 of the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 For section 25(2) of the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 substitute— "(2) If a seized article, thing or material is required under subsection (1) to be returned to the person from whom it was seized, notice must be given to that person of his or her right to have it returned. s. 31 -- 31 of 35 -- Part 4—Amendment of Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 and Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 29 (2A) For the purposes of subsection (2), the notice must be given— (a) if the article, thing or material was seized under section 17A by an authorised transport officer and has not been handed over to a member of the police force, by the person in the Department of Transport or the passenger transport or bus company, as the case may be, who is responsible for the custody of the article, thing or material; or (b) otherwise, by the member of the police force in charge of the police station at which the seized article, thing or material is kept.". 34 Amendment of Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983 (1) In section 218B(2) of the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983 after "regulations" insert "or against the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007". (2) In section 219(1) of the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983 for "any regulation made under this Act" substitute "the regulations or against the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007". __________________ See: Act No. 9921. Reprint No. 14 as at 31 July 2009 and amending Act Nos 71/2006, 13/2009, 45/2009, 68/2009, 69/2009, 91/2009, 93/2009, 6/2010, 16/2010 and 19/2010. LawToday: www. legislation. vic.gov.au s. 34 -- 32 of 35 -- Part 5—Amendment of Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 30 PART 5—AMENDMENT OF LIQUOR CONTROL REFORM ACT 1998 35 Amendment of Schedule 2 to the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 In Schedule 2 to the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 after item 5 insert— "5A Disorderly conduct An offence against section 17A of the Summary Offences Act 1966.". __________________ See: Act No. 94/1998. Reprint No. 5 as at 1 April 2010 and amending Act Nos 9/2008, 88/2009, 13/2010 and 18/2010. LawToday: www. legislation. vic.gov.au s. 35 -- 33 of 35 -- Part 6—Repeal of Amending Act Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 31 PART 6—REPEAL OF AMENDING ACT 36 Repeal of amending Act This Act is repealed on 1 December 2011. Note The repeal of this Act does not affect the continuing operation of the amendments made by it (see section 15(1) of the Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984). ═══════════════ s. 36 -- 34 of 35 -- Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 52 of 2010 32 ENDNOTES † Minister's second reading speech— Legislative Assembly: 24 June 2010 Legislative Council: 29 July 2010 The long title for the Bill for this Act was "A Bill for an Act to amend the Firearms Act 1996, the Control of Weapons Act 1990, the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007, the Transport Act 1983 and the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 and for other purposes." Endnotes -- 35 of 35 --