‘Not our role’: Doctors slam mandatory reporting in gun crackdown
Reporting patients considered at high risk of gun violence will become mandatory under state weapon reforms, but doctors say gun control is “not their role”.
The Queensland government’s decision to make mental health reporting mandatory for patients deemed at high risk of committing violent gun crime has been slammed by doctors.
This week, the government announced a range of moves to tighten gun laws, in response to the Wieambilla tragedy three years ago.
Under the changes, any health professional in the public sector who believes a patient should not possess a firearm because of their physical or mental health must contact police.
The mandatory reporting will not extend to the private health system.
Australian Medical Association Queensland President Dr Nick Yim said the move “appears to strengthen existing obligations for Queensland health staff”.
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“Currently, public sector clinicians may report concerns that a patient may pose a serious violent risk to themselves or others,” he told InDaily.
“That will now become mandatory under this ministerial directive.”
Mental health assessments were part of the coroner’s recommendations after six people died in the 2022 Wieambilla shootings including police officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow.
However, those have not been adopted.
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Yim said the state’s doctors took “mental health concerns and public safety very seriously” but “it is not the role of clinicians to determine who should be allowed to get gun licences”.
He also voiced concerns that people who need compassionate mental health support could be “discouraged from seeking help due to mandatory reporting”.
“AMA Queensland hopes to see more clarity around the roll out of these reforms,” he said.
Earlier this week, Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the government was “taking action now, with mandatory mental health reporting for high-risk individuals, instead of waiting months for a study.”
“This is about providing police with information about high-risk individuals, from healthcare professionals working in Queensland Health,” Nicholls said.
Existing requirements on weapons licensing applications for people to declare any neurological condition, psychiatric disorder, psychological issues and alcohol and drug history will also be strengthened in the new legislation.
The reforms would also boost police powers to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists and criminals, the government said.
It follows the state’s rejection of a proposed federal gun buyback scheme.
