Ammunition disposal warning
SURRENDERED or seized bullets are at risk of theft or loss because of inconsistent accounting standards, Tasmania's Auditor-General says.
Auditor-General Mike Blake yesterday released a report into guns and ammunition disposed of under the Firearms Act.
Mr Blake said the disposal of firearms in the past year was appropriate and complied with legislation, but could not say the same of the handling of ammunition.
He said records of bullets surrendered or seized by police were inadequate.
"The current practice of recording the quantity of ammunition varies, which increases the risk that ammunition could inadvertently be misplaced or lost through theft or fraud without this being detected," Mr Blake said.
The same issue was identified the previous financial year, with the Auditor-General uncovering an absence of policies or procedures and a lack of monitoring controls.
Mr Blake noted the police department had recently prepared a draft plan for recording, handling and destruction of ammunition.
Under the plan, police will be required to use tamper-proof forensic bags for all ammunition in their custody, and count and record individual items when handling smaller amounts of bullets. But Mr Blake pointed out the plan would not take effect until the 2015-16 financial year.
In a submission to the audit, Police Commissioner Darren said the new guidelines would mean ammunition disposed of under the Firearms Act would be more clearly identified.