Back in May, Guardian Australia reported on growing concerns that Firearm Prohibition Orders (FPOs) in NSW were being used as a “blank cheque” to target Indigenous young people.
A FPO can be made if it’s deemed by police that someone is not fit, or in the public interest, to possess a firearm – even if they have never been charged with a weapons offence or any crime. The powers allow someone with a FPO to be searched at any time without a warrant.
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A recent legislative change by the NSW government has changed what it called ‘a long-standing drafting error’ dating back to 2013, now allowing young people to challenge the orders in the NCAT.
Lucy Kelley, solicitor at the Justice and Equity Centre, which has been lobbying for changes to the regime, said FPOs give ‘NSW police extraordinary and excessive powers without accountability to the community’.
‘We’re pleased the government has listened and made this sensible reform, which means children can now challenge an FPO in the tribunal in the same way adults can.
‘It’s a small change but it will have a huge impact as FPOs never expire, so a successful challenge by a young person under these new laws could protect them from years of invasive searches and ongoing police targeting.’
