Thursday 29 May 2008
IMPORTATION OF LASER POINTERS BANNED
A new regulation has been passed which will ban the importation of high intensity laser pointers, the Minister for Home Affairs Bob Debus announced today.
“This new law will make it an offence to import high powered lasers without a permit.
“It means anyone seeking to import a laser pointer stronger than 1mW will have to have an appropriate exemption, which will work in the same way as for other restricted goods.
“However for the ban to be truly effective, it’s important that the States and Territories urgently establish uniform national laws to support these new Commonwealth controls.
“I have written to Police ministers calling on them to put in place legislation which imposes fines and jail terms for possessing pointers above 1mW without an appropriate exemption.”
The ban will take effect on 1 July 2008 and is also on the agenda for the national police minister’s meeting on 13 June.
The new regulation will allow legitimate users including surveyors, the construction and mining industries and astronomers to apply for an exemption from the ban.
Mr Debus said importers would have to obtain police authorisation from the relevant state or territory police force prior to applying for an import permit.
“Customs will also work with known importers and user group representatives to make sure they’re aware of and can access the new permit based import process.
“We are all aware that there are high numbers of these devices already in the community, which is why the Government will work with relevant agencies to develop an education campaign.
“I am confident we can get national cooperation on this – hundreds of aircraft across Australia are targeted every year and we need to work together to reduce the number of incidents.
“I’d also like to thank Customs and other relevant Government agencies for their hard work in getting this ban in place as quickly as possible.”
Media Contact: Samantha Wills 0448 721 372