The Victorian Government is trying to sweep an air gun range promise made to the shooting community under the carpet. We intend to hold them to it.
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The Commonwealth Games legacy
THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT has gone back on a key promise by refusing to build a shooting facility that it had previously promised the shooting community it would fund.
WHEN the Victorian Government pulled out of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, former Premier, Dan Andrews said that the government was still committed to building the facilities needed for the games, as legacy to the community even though it was no longer going to host the flagship event.
This included the development on an international grade air gun range at Morwell.
The range was intended to accommodate International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) air pistol and air rifle events, placing Melbourne on the stage for key international shooting events.
Doing this could have elevated shooting to a new level, never seen before in Victoria.
Who represents Olympic shooting?
IN AUSTRALIA, ISSF shooting sports are represented by Shooting Australia (SA), which includes affiliations in Victoria by Target Rifle Victoria (TRV), Victorian Amateur Pistol Association (VAPA) who run the premiere air rifle and pistol events.
The Victorian Clay Target Association and Victorian Rifle Association are also ISSF organisations, however they do not hold air gun events. Plus there is biathlon to consider for the winter Olympics.
Following Andrew’s announcement, the government started consulting affected organisations to see if adjustments to the original commitments were needed.
For example, whether facilities should be built in a different way, or in different locations.
Failing to understand the shooting sports
IN AN INEXCUSABLE BLUNDER, the government ended up consulting the wrong people.
Rather than consult SA, TRV or VAPA, it consulted a shotgun club – which has no interest in air gun events.
That’s like consulting soccer about the height of AFL goal posts. This is despite the original proposal being designed and costed by TRV.
On the warpath over the air range
TRV has made representation to the following politicians:
- Minister Steve Dimopoulos – Victorian Labor Party, Minister for Sport.
- Senator Bridget McKenzie – The Nationals – Federal
- Senator Anne Ruston Liberal, Opposition Minister for Sport – Federal
- Trung Luu – Victorian Labor Party – Member for Western Metro
- John Lister – Victorian Liberal Party – Member of Werribee
- Jeff Bourman – Farmers, Fishers and Shooters Party
- Sam Groth – Liberal Party Victoria, Opposition Sports Minister and Deputy leader
- Brad Batten – Liberal Party Victoria, Opposition Premier
When governments cross the line
DESPITE representations by TRV to government and ministers, the government is in some sort of paralysis over what to do.
To us, the solution is simple: honour the original commitment. While ‘cost’ has been cited, the world class range has already factored into the state’s budget.
The amount involved – approx. $2m (plus land) – means as much to the state’s $100b per annum budget as $2.40 does to someone earning $120,000 per year.
How air became a political issue
TRV, like other ISSF organisations, is normally apolitical.
However this matter is so important to the future of the shooting sports, that it has decided to go public, and vowed to make this an election issue for the next Victorian State Election in 2026.
OUR MESSAGE to the Allan Government is simple.
Acknowledge the commitment, recognise that it got things wrong (and fix it’s consultation model with the shooting community), and take immediate steps to make the air gun range happen.
Victoria needs an international facility
In fact, our view is that Victoria does not have a venue suitable for international shooting events, while other states do.
Sydney and Brisbane can cater for international events, while Perth and Adelaide are part of the way there. Yet Melbourne has nothing suitable for world class competition.
That’s why we believe the Allan Government needs to commit to building a full ISSF range (shotgun, rifle pistol) IMMEDIATELY.
More promises will only serve to increase the cynicism and anger.
Why not put this on your club’s noticeboard?
