Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party Victoria Rep

[LightninLopez]

Who do you guys preference? You aren't about to get your own people elected, so the only way you are gonna have political power is by making deals. Votes for policy... and if the rest of your platform is anything to go by, I'm betting you preference Nats/Liberals and maybe even One Nation types. Which is not my thing at all. Labour voter here. Course, everyone is free to make up their own mind - I just dont like one-issue parties that aren't clear about where they stand on broader issues.

[ethanboris]

Thanks for your welcome lads!

I understand that some don't like SFFP because of our firearm policies, however our 2 MP's in the Victorian Parliament have had to vote on many issues including those on recreational and commercial angling.

My argument would be that once the socialists, animal liberationists and parties like the greens have achieved their goal of a complete ban on legal firearm ownership, there will be no stopping them coming after recreational fishing. Regardless of how fisho's think of gun owners, we're still going to go into bat for you.

This is why I'm here, to talk to you about the party and see how we can help you with any issues around the state.

[Marlinman]

Welcome!

I'm with BM, due to my lifestyle and hobbies you have my vote.

People who haven't grown up with firearms will understandably have negative views on what isn't familiar with their lifestyle. It would be great if you could answer any queries people may have who oppose your policies with cold hard facts.

I'm of the belief that criminals aren't using legitimate, registered firearms for their crimes and no matter what laws are in place it won't have an affect on these illegal firearms.

[4liters]

I'm curious about which farmers you are representing. My background is in grape growing and a lot of friends and former colleagues in places like the Riverland, the Barossa and McLaren Vale are very concerned about the impacts climate change is already on the viability of their industry, yet I can't find any reference to in your policies other than opposition to the carbon tax.

My argument would be that once the socialists, animal liberationists and parties like the greens have achieved their goal of a complete ban on legal firearm ownership, there will be no stopping them coming after recreational fishing. Regardless of how fisho's think of gun owners, we're still going to go into bat for you.

Are they actually trying to ban fishing though? And why would banning guns open the way to banning fishing? Wouldn't they just try and ban fishing now if they thought that was something they wanted to do?

[rb85]

Thanks for your welcome lads!

I understand that some don't like SFFP because of our firearm policies, however our 2 MP's in the Victorian Parliament have had to vote on many issues including those on recreational and commercial angling.

My argument would be that once the socialists, animal liberationists and parties like the greens have achieved their goal of a complete ban on legal firearm ownership, there will be no stopping them coming after recreational fishing. Regardless of how fisho's think of gun owners, we're still going to go into bat for you.

This is why I'm here, to talk to you about the party and see how we can help you with any issues around the state.

Your Welcome,

The problem with parties such as yours is your targeting the vote of fisherman who could be right wing, left wing, no wing or view every issue on its merit. Suggesting that "once socialists, animal liberationists and parties like the greens have achieved their goal of a complete ban on legal firearm ownership, there will be no stopping them coming after recreational fishing" shows that your party is trying to gain support by fear rather than policy which I cannot support.

So whats your views on employment, unemployment, workers rights, environmental protection, full disclosure on political donations, criminal gangs, immigration the shutting down of coal fired power stations, foreign ownership of land, housing affordability and Australias foreign debt to international banking corporations. Don't dive into them all at once.

[Queasy]

I'm curious about which farmers you are representing. My background is in grape growing and a lot of friends and former colleagues in places like the Riverland, the Barossa and McLaren Vale are very concerned about the impacts climate change is already on the viability of their industry, yet I can't find any reference to in your policies other than opposition to the carbon tax.

I second that question, if I may.

Are they actually trying to ban fishing though? And why would banning guns open the way to banning fishing? Wouldn't they just try and ban fishing now if they thought that was something they wanted to do?

From http://animaljusticeparty.org/policies/marine-animals/
"Key Objectives

To protect all marine animals and their environment as a matter of urgency from adverse commercial industries including, but not limited to, fishing (wild and farmed)...."

So, I think that's a yes, at least by some of the animal liberationist groups. I think the Greens push a more sustainable fishing line rather than an outright statewide ban BUT who do you think was behind making it a criminal offence to fish from beaches such as Point Addis?

These groups work incrementally. They don't go for a ban on everything at once but target and focus on shorter term goals, so guns don't get banned overnight but larger calibres do. Recreational shooting doesn't get banned but they focus on banning duck hunting. The Greens have a policy to work towards an end of all hunting on public land. Similarly with fishing we have seen the creation of marine national parks along our coast. SO we see them achieving one goal and then focusing on another rather than spreading themselves too thin. At the moment their focus in on turning 355,000 ha of the central highlands, which is currently freely accessible state forest into a far more restrictive 'Great Forest National Park'.

[ducky]

There's a rather large difference between supporting the legal right to own firearms for genuine purpose and the deregulation of the entire firearm ownership and registration system we have in place.

For what it's worth I am a firearm owner. I support the current legislation fully. I'm not sure a better balance could be struck.

As for the criminals not using legal guns. Yes by and large they aren't using reigistered guns. But if the SFFP remove the registration of firearms as per one of their aims the criminals will have access to a shite load more unregistered guns....

[FishnMiss]

Personally having used firearms in high school & military I don't have a problem with them.
My biggest concern is who will end up owning them to commit criminal acts? Would gun related violence escalate like America?
Apart from using a gun to control wild dogs or similar, the only other reason to have one would be for self protection & I'm not sure we're there yet, but judging from recent Anti Australia Day protests, Apex gang etc that may well change.

[BigT]

Yep you lose me on the firearms policy. There is no need for a private individual to own something like an AR-15 or SLR in Australia. That legislation is for me the greatest legacy of the Howard government.

I actually sympathise somewhat with people in the USA who feel they do have that need for personal protection - given the horse has bolted and that country is awash with assault rifles.

On the argument for the left leaning parties pushing for banning fishing, that's really a slippery slope argument and requires a lot to happen before it becomes a reality. If anything, indications are we're swinging back towards a more conservative political landscape.

[Queasy]

Apart from using a gun to control wild dogs or similar, the only other reason to have one would be for self protection & I'm not sure we're there yet

I assume by "& similar" you mean other pest animals, plus hunting for food (my protein is mostly taken with the rifle else caught with the rod), and all of the shooting sports? Agree on the self protection thing, generally speaking.