It is now a year since I commenced at the Licensing & Regulation Division (LRD). The time flies when you’re working with good people.
Up until the end of June the ever diligent and tireless staff of LRD have processed almost 137,000 applications and renewals for firearms licences, and private security licences and registrations. This is a 3.5% increase on the previous financial year.
As forecast in my previous newsletter, there has been a significant focus on compliance, ensuring only fit and proper people are licensed. Ongoing audits throughout the financial year have resulted in a 16% increase in the cancellation of firearms licences, and an 8% increase in suspensions. There has also been a significant increase in the private security field with a 150% increase in the suspension of licences and a 20% increase in cancellations in comparison to the previous financial year. It is necessary that all licence holders remain vigilant in ensuring compliance in accordance with legislation. Enforcement will continue to be a core business activity of LRD.
LRD is on track to launching the Electronic Lodgement Process (ELP) first stage by December this year. At that time we will have our private security licence and registration applications online. The project has progressed rapid-ly and promises to revolutionise the way you do business with LRD. We will provide more information closer to December.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the firearm and security industries for their continued support of LRD. We continue to work closely with all industry members, and we look forward to your ongoing responsible and compliant focus as we work together to create a safer Victo-ria.
