Liberal Democrats’ W.A Candidate interviews

We touched base with Graeme Klass and Connor Whittle, the two Liberal Democrat Party Senate Candidates for Western Australia.

First up – Graeme Klass!

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Firearm Owners United is a grass roots, online, pro firearms advocacy group. It was started 12 months ago by our President, and currently has just shy of 20000 followers. We have around 13 reps Australia wide, with more coming on board shortly. We are very vocal about common sense firearm laws, in particular repealing the highly restrictive NFA.

So that’s us, now it’s your turn;

1. Please tell us briefly about yourself, with particular emphasis on shooting and firearms in general.

I am a father of 3, husband and senior software engineer. I am currently in the mining and drilling technology industry and has taken me to remote parts of Africa, Asia and Australia. I am not a shooter but fully support the rights of lawful and peaceful shooters.

2. What made you enter the political arena, and why did you choose the party you represent?

I became interested in politics about 10 years ago. I began to read more about it and thinking about how society structures itself. I found out about Libertarianism – the concept of limited and small government, and the right for you to pursue their life as they see fit without the interference of the government (provided you are not forcefully stopping others from doing the same). The Liberal Democrats are the only libertarian party in Australia and most aligned with my beliefs.

3. Can you tell us what you see as the biggest barrier to legal firearm ownership in this country currently?

It is the general debate over guns is an emotional one rather than one based on reason and evidence. We need to continue to talk and debate and continue to use reason and that individuals must be allowed to defend themselves and their families.

4. If elected, what will be the first thing you will aim to do in regards to shooters, and firearm laws in general?

Ensure self defense (of yourself or family) is a valid reason for owning a firearm.

5. We see this election as a pivotal one, regarding small vs major parties in the Senate. How will you be campaigning in order to capitalize on the “dissatisfaction” amongst voters?

The majors are doing a fine job doing that all by themselves! All we need to do is remind voters there are alternatives like the LDP.

6. Will this include visiting gun clubs, shops, farmers etc who are clearly disgruntled with the current stigma and red tape?

Possibly if time and the opportunity arises.

7. We are big advocates for Castle Doctrine, given the amount of violent home invasions in recent times. Is this one of LDPs current policies?

Absolutely. Self defense of your property and family is an inalienable right.

8. We also believe in the repealing of the NFA, on the grounds of common sense. Will you be pushing for this if elected into the Senate?

We will continue to do everything we can to represent shooters, and we would prefer firearms regulation to be a state issue. Senator Leyonhjelm has spoken directly to the Prime Minister about this and persuaded him to not allow further restrictions. Unfortunately, the political reality is that virtually no-one in the federal parliament other than the Liberal Democrats are sticking up for shooters, which means it would be nearly impossible to have it repealed. In two years, David managed to have the Malabar ANZAC Rifle Range re-sign a 50 year lease, put a sunset clause on the Adler A110 restrictions, and arranged for meetings between shooters groups and the Justice Minister to help prevent any further stupid decision making. We could do with some more Liberal Democrats in parliament .

Next up – Connor Whittle

1. Please tell us briefly about yourself, with particular emphasis on shooting and firearms in general.

I’m a young draftsman from Bunbury who likes to travel, but I started off as a bit of a basement dweller but realised that’s no way to get into shooting! So I worked hard and eventually bootstrapped myself up into the man I am today. Still don’t have a gun of my own though…

2. What made you enter the political arena, and why did you choose the party you represent?

Firearms and Libertarianism to me went hand in hand. I was anti-gun and a bit pink to start off with but as I learned about Libertarianism, firearms became the biggest sticking point – and later the prime example of individual liberty.
I learned of the LDP a few years ago as Australia’s only Libertarian party just after David’s election to Senate. It was love at first sight. I helped out at every opportunity and eventually took on greater roles.

3. Can you tell us what you see as the biggest barrier to legal firearm ownership in this country currently?
Not so much a single barrier, but taking everything as a whole. All of those fees and regulations build up to create a big hurdle for anyone wanting to get into legal firearm ownership. The whole system needs to be wiped clean and started afresh, license the individual, not the gun! (See our policy page for more on that).

4. If elected, what will be the first thing you will aim to do in regards to shooters, and firearm laws in general?

Gee – where to start. As a Senator I’d smash away any federal regulations to firearm ownership where possible, decentralise the laws back to the states and stop Australian Customs from playing their petty games with law abiding firearms owners.

5. We see this election as a pivotal one, regarding small vs major parties in the Senate. How will you be campaigning in order to capitalize on the “dissatisfaction” amongst voters?

Our actions speak loudest. The major parties have mangled the budget(Your tax dollars!) and are looking to trash Australian democracy as well.Those with more of a freedom bent in the major parties have utterly failed to “change them from the inside” so we’re going to present actual alternatives to Australians whether the majors like it or not.

6. Will this include visiting gun clubs, shops, farmers etc who are clearly disgruntled with the current stigma and red tape?

As much as possible. We want to get government far away from your personal lives, livelihoods, businesses and yes, even gun clubs. We’ve got philosophy and broad policies for all manner of issues but we’re looking for the nameable and specific bureaucratic caltrops that are harming our society, so we need to talk with as many people as possible on all manner of issues. We’re going to be getting out and about, but If you know of a specific regulation or government office that is getting up your nose, please contact us about it.

7. We are big advocates for Castle Doctrine, given the amount of violent home invasions in recent times. Is this one of LDPs current policies?
We are certainly for Self-Defence rights! Pretty fundamental stuff for us Libertarians. Check out our firearm policies at ldp.org.au/policy/firearms/

8. We also believe in the repealing of the NFA, on the grounds of common sense. Will you be pushing for this if elected into the Senate?

We will continue to do everything we can to represent shooters, and we would prefer firearms regulation to be a state issue. Senator Leyonhjelm has spoken directly to the Prime Minister about this and persuaded him to not allow further restrictions. Unfortunately, the political reality at this time is that virtually no-one in the federal parliament other than the Liberal Democrats are sticking up for shooters, which means it would be nearly impossible to have it repealed.

Thanks for asking these questions guys, and thanks to everyone else for supporting Firearm Owners United – you guys are great.

Well, there you have it folks.

https://www.facebook.com/ConnorWhittle.senate
https://www.facebook.com/graemeklass.senate
https://www.facebook.com/LDPWestralia
www.ldp.org.au