The Combined Firearms Council of Victoria represents six major shooting organizations in the state. It aims to support candidates in the 2018 Victorian state election who support shooting sports through targeted advertising and mailouts, and campaigns against those who oppose shooting. The Council lobbies on issues important to its 205,000 licensed shooter members, such as hunting access and firearms regulations. It asks candidates to support hunting at Lake Mokoan, protecting shooters' access in any Great Forest National Park plans, and more funding for shooting initiatives in exchange for the Council's campaign support.

1. Combined Firearms
Council of Victoria
Background information for State MPs looking
for support from the shooting community at
the 2018 Victorian State Election
5 slides in all

2. What we do
• We represent the political interests of the following 6 Victorian major
shooting organisations:
• International Practical Shooting Confederation
• Field and Game Australia
• Firearm Traders Association
• Sporting Shooters Association of Victoria
• Victorian Amateur Pistol Association of Victoria
• Vintagers: Order of Edwardian Gunners
• We support the election campaigns of candidates who support the
shooting sports through targeted ads and mailouts. We also run
campaigns against those who oppose the shooting sports.
• We lobby on a range of matters relating to our members’ interests.

3. Our impact
• There are 205,000 licensed shooters. That’s an average of 2,300 for each
lower house electorate (we use the distribution of shooters’ licence
information obtained through FOI to help work out which seats to focus
on).
• A NSW statistician conducted a study into our 2002 campaign where we
issued HTVs for lower house 42 electorates supporting mostly conservative
candidates, on that occasion*. The report stated:
“The swing to the ALP was reduced by about 2.5% in seats where a ‘how to vote card’
was recommended by the Combined Firearms Council of Victoria (CFCV).”
*At other elections we have supported ALP candidates.
It all depends on what and who we’re up against.

4. What do we want?
• Hunting at Lake Mokoan. The ban was arbitrary and needs just one
signature (by the portfolio minister) to revoke.
• Shooters to be unaffected by the proposed Great Forest National Park.
• No change to the National Firearms Agreement except for those
recommended in a joint submission by the shooting industry.
• More funding for shooting, including a comprehensive study on its
economic benefits – with an action plan.
• All parties to put the Greens last.

5. What you can do
If you would like to help the shooting sports in a meaningful way in
return for support at the next state election, let us know.
How to contact us:
• Bill Paterson (President) on 0410 479 174
• Russell Pearson on 0403 726 667
• Email at admin@firearmscouncil.org.au
All communications will be strictly confidential.