Amateur Radio Victoria has recently been in consultation with the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety regarding a review to upgrade / renew the long standing rules in relation to the “Prohibited Weapon Exemption-Antenna Launcher”
The Department has advised that our positive discussions have now been accepted and Gazetted as Law (current from April 18). Please review the attached Victorian Government Gazette entry.
It is important to note that the Rules pertaining to Antenna Launchers are only applicable in the State of Victoria.
Items not Gazetted but noted in correspondence from the Department include the following:
The exemption published in Special Government Gazette No. S185 18 Apr 2023 is now in force, and the historical exemption published in Government Gazette No. G14 04 Apr 1990, at page 1038 has been revoked.
The revised exemption exempts an amateur radio operator from offences against the Control of Weapons Act 1990 in respect of the following activities for the purpose of erecting radio equipment, including launching a cable, line or antenna—
- Bring an antenna launcher into Victoria
- Cause an antenna launcher to be brought into or sent into Victoria
- Purchase an antenna launcher
- Possess, use or carry an antenna launcher
- Possess, use or carry an antenna launcher in licensed premises or in a public place that is in the immediate vicinity of licensed premises
The proposed exemption exempts a person assisting an amateur radio operator to erect radio equipment including launching a cable, line or antenna—
- Possess, use or carry an antenna launcher
- Possess, use or carry an antenna launcher in licensed premises or in a public place that is in the immediate vicinity of licensed premises
The exemption is subject to the following conditions—
Storage Requirements
It is a condition of this exemption that when an antenna launcher is not in use for the purpose listed in Column 4, an amateur radio operator must ensure that the antenna launcher is—
- carried and securely stored in a manner calculated to ensure that the prohibited weapon is not readily accessible to a person without an exemption under section 8B or an approval under section 8C of the Control of Weapons Act 1990; and
- concealed from plain sight
The conditions are enforceable by offences established under section 8E of the Control of Weapons Act 1990. Relevantly, a person must not intentionally or recklessly breach a condition to which an exemption under section 8B or an approval under section 8C that applies to the person is subject. This offence is punishable by a maximum penalty of 20 penalty units, which is about $3,700 in the 2022-23 financial year.
DJCS actively encourages all individuals using a prohibited weapon to take reasonable precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them. We would be grateful if you continue to encourage your members to take reasonable safety precautions, including using a high impact face shield or eye protection complying with AS/NZS 1337.1:2010 Personal Eye Protection, when using an antenna launcher.
The Licensing and Regulation Division of Victoria Police provides guidance on the regulation of weapons in Victoria, and general information is available at https://www.police.vic.gov.au/weapons-controls
