1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,480 Speaker 1: Well, as we've been discussing from today, eligible territory and 2 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:05,680 Speaker 1: is it going to be able to buy OC spray 3 00:00:05,720 --> 00:00:09,720 Speaker 1: for self defense and protection from licensed firearm dealers. It 4 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:12,320 Speaker 1: will be trialed for twelve months as part of the 5 00:00:12,360 --> 00:00:16,200 Speaker 1: Northern Territory government suite of law and order reforms. Joining 6 00:00:16,320 --> 00:00:18,640 Speaker 1: us on the line to talk more about how it's 7 00:00:18,720 --> 00:00:22,079 Speaker 1: going this morning from Fishing an Outdoor World, it's Ronald Vookelos. 8 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:23,160 Speaker 1: Good morning to you. 9 00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:25,639 Speaker 2: Ron morning, Katie. How are we? 10 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:27,920 Speaker 1: Yeah? Really well, lovely to have you on the show 11 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:30,320 Speaker 1: made of you had a lot of interest in people 12 00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:32,159 Speaker 1: keen to get OC spray this morning. 13 00:00:33,280 --> 00:00:37,239 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's been quite brisk, not lineups out the door, 14 00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:42,600 Speaker 2: but yeah, definitely plenty of people coming through. Obviously there's 15 00:00:42,600 --> 00:00:46,519 Speaker 2: been a fair bit of publishing information out about it, 16 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:50,680 Speaker 2: so most people had already read all the things that 17 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:52,640 Speaker 2: they need to read. But obviously we are to witness 18 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:56,200 Speaker 2: and physically reading it, etc. But yeah, so there's obviously 19 00:00:56,240 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 2: some thought being put into it when people are making 20 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:00,320 Speaker 2: their purchase. 21 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:03,720 Speaker 1: And what is the process as they make the purchase, 22 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:07,920 Speaker 1: like from from your stores perspective, Basically. 23 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:11,480 Speaker 2: We're witnessing them read the reading. What is a prohibited person, 24 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:13,920 Speaker 2: so that they have an understanding of that before making 25 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:18,480 Speaker 2: before filling out their declaration, just having a look at 26 00:01:18,520 --> 00:01:21,600 Speaker 2: the valid driver's license, which obviously you had to look 27 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:23,640 Speaker 2: at it, and then there's obviously some people who had 28 00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:27,240 Speaker 2: some wacky haircuts when they had their driver's license taken. Yeah, 29 00:01:26,640 --> 00:01:29,399 Speaker 2: but yeah, so just making sure they've got valid there, 30 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:35,240 Speaker 2: the valid Australian resident and then they just make the declaration. 31 00:01:35,319 --> 00:01:38,959 Speaker 2: So it's rather straightforward, but just just following a process. 32 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:41,160 Speaker 1: And so do you reckon, like, have you sold have 33 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:43,600 Speaker 1: you already sold a few canisters this morning? 34 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:47,080 Speaker 2: Oh? Yeah, yeah, no, it's it's been taken out. We've 35 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 2: had a fair of people, fair few people through in 36 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 2: the mix of there's two sizes and it's sort of 37 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:55,920 Speaker 2: split between both at the moment. Between the the ten 38 00:01:55,960 --> 00:01:58,640 Speaker 2: million forty five mill sprays, there's not much of a 39 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:02,080 Speaker 2: price difference and I don't think that that factors into it. Obviously, 40 00:02:02,120 --> 00:02:05,200 Speaker 2: the smaller one sort of lipstick size things. So if 41 00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:08,040 Speaker 2: you're out out and about for a run or something, 42 00:02:08,200 --> 00:02:10,600 Speaker 2: felt the need to carry that that would fit nicely 43 00:02:10,639 --> 00:02:12,639 Speaker 2: in your pocket, on your tights or something like that. 44 00:02:12,720 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 2: So yeah, but look, it's interesting Katie that a couple 45 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:19,880 Speaker 2: of comments of there's people. You know, a lady indicated 46 00:02:19,880 --> 00:02:22,320 Speaker 2: that she now doesn't have to carry a big bottle 47 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:26,800 Speaker 2: of deodorant of spray, you know, sort of anty person 48 00:02:26,919 --> 00:02:31,119 Speaker 2: deodorant with a just as so as something to give 49 00:02:31,360 --> 00:02:33,520 Speaker 2: some sort of security or to put a bit of 50 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:37,760 Speaker 2: distance if someone wants to come up with the ill intention. 51 00:02:37,919 --> 00:02:43,040 Speaker 2: But yeah, it's so obviously it's as I've said before, 52 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:46,880 Speaker 2: it seems to be a fairly well filled out process 53 00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:49,440 Speaker 2: by the government. It doesn't seem like they've rushed into it. 54 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:51,560 Speaker 2: And yeah, but trade has been brisk. 55 00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:54,680 Speaker 1: And so in terms of like people's details they're added 56 00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:57,040 Speaker 1: to a system, are they added in real time or 57 00:02:57,600 --> 00:03:00,519 Speaker 1: like and then potential alerts come up or does it work? 58 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:04,160 Speaker 2: No, So obviously, so we're waiting. You will get a 59 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:09,720 Speaker 2: confirmation on your on your phone and we get we 60 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:15,200 Speaker 2: get a confirmation back which goes to our onto our 61 00:03:16,040 --> 00:03:20,840 Speaker 2: email just indicating that the declaration has been completed and 62 00:03:20,919 --> 00:03:25,320 Speaker 2: permit's been issued. And then I'm not sure I've been 63 00:03:25,360 --> 00:03:28,079 Speaker 2: asked out a few times, but I'm not sure the 64 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:32,640 Speaker 2: time between you know, being vetted and whether people have 65 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 2: made a false declaration. If they are actually a prohibited person. 66 00:03:35,960 --> 00:03:38,840 Speaker 2: But obviously the police are confident though, will pick up 67 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:42,000 Speaker 2: on that in a fairly quick time frame. 68 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:44,600 Speaker 1: And Ron, I know that there's been like some discussion 69 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:46,760 Speaker 1: that you know, kids are going to come into different 70 00:03:46,760 --> 00:03:48,960 Speaker 1: stores or young people and they're going to be buying 71 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:51,680 Speaker 1: the OC spray or that you know, people are going 72 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:54,600 Speaker 1: to be coming in and buying ten canisters. I mean, 73 00:03:54,760 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 1: is it luck? Is it that easy? 74 00:03:57,040 --> 00:04:00,200 Speaker 2: No? Definitely not. So you're you're permitted to buy needed 75 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:06,200 Speaker 2: to buy two two pieces interestingly, the one that that 76 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:10,600 Speaker 2: I sort of when I originally found out, So you 77 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:12,280 Speaker 2: yourself could not buy one for yourself and one for 78 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:15,240 Speaker 2: your partner. You would they would have to come in themselves. 79 00:04:15,440 --> 00:04:19,200 Speaker 2: Obviously you have to be over eighteen. Yeah, and look, 80 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:23,960 Speaker 2: we even even selling it, so I may have staff 81 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:26,960 Speaker 2: that do you know that that buy some for themselves 82 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 2: and wish to carry that on them for after hours, 83 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:34,800 Speaker 2: but they actually can't touch or handle for resale. So 84 00:04:34,839 --> 00:04:38,520 Speaker 2: the only there's four of us who are my accredited 85 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:42,080 Speaker 2: firearms nominees, and we're the only people that can handle it. 86 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:44,640 Speaker 2: It's it's actually not on public display. You know, We've 87 00:04:44,640 --> 00:04:46,520 Speaker 2: got it in a lock container. At the end of 88 00:04:46,560 --> 00:04:49,559 Speaker 2: each night, we have to put it in our gun safe, 89 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:53,280 Speaker 2: so it's actually being from a regulations point of view, 90 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:58,320 Speaker 2: it's stricter than purchasing AMMO ammunition. It's locked up every night. 91 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:00,440 Speaker 2: So even if touch Wood, if someone was to break 92 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:03,320 Speaker 2: into my premises that the OLK shakes a bit of 93 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:06,920 Speaker 2: a fort knock, So yeah, there's there's very little chance 94 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:11,360 Speaker 2: of someone getting hold of it. Obviously, when people are 95 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:14,880 Speaker 2: in possession of it, how they secure it, that is 96 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:17,000 Speaker 2: up to them. And obviously it's an offense if it 97 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:20,080 Speaker 2: falls into kid's hands, if it's left laying around or 98 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:22,479 Speaker 2: anything like that, so obviously you enter into an agreement, 99 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:25,760 Speaker 2: you know, to look after it, et cetera. So yeah, 100 00:05:25,800 --> 00:05:28,960 Speaker 2: it's no definitely that I was never I was never 101 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:32,720 Speaker 2: concerned in the sense of young people, you know, running 102 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:34,479 Speaker 2: in and just being able to buy it again, whether 103 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:37,440 Speaker 2: they can still get hold of it. But the interesting thing, 104 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:40,000 Speaker 2: Katie is I think some people have felt the need 105 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:43,920 Speaker 2: to arm themselves with different types of sprays already. At 106 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:48,000 Speaker 2: least this is a controlled control thing, and the and 107 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:52,440 Speaker 2: the police know who's carrying and yeah. 108 00:05:52,120 --> 00:05:54,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, and you know, it's really interesting because when 109 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:57,080 Speaker 1: it was first announced that the OC spray was going 110 00:05:57,120 --> 00:05:59,039 Speaker 1: to be rolled out. On that twelve month trial, we 111 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:02,360 Speaker 1: literally had people messaging through saying what they already use, 112 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:05,560 Speaker 1: you know, as a form of self protection, like different 113 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:06,800 Speaker 1: sprays as you've touched on. 114 00:06:07,640 --> 00:06:10,520 Speaker 2: That's right. And then further, I wasn't aware that it's 115 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:14,120 Speaker 2: been available in wa for in excessive twenty five years 116 00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:16,719 Speaker 2: I think, or at least twenty five years. And essentially 117 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:20,240 Speaker 2: the fact that the people who maybe don't agree with 118 00:06:20,279 --> 00:06:24,839 Speaker 2: this trial haven't been able to identify a sort of 119 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 2: systemic or a number of serious incidents with it indicates 120 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:34,520 Speaker 2: that it's not as bad as some might think it'll be. 121 00:06:34,839 --> 00:06:37,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, and do you know, like for me, I 122 00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:39,920 Speaker 1: think you guys are very sensible in terms of your 123 00:06:39,960 --> 00:06:44,279 Speaker 1: sales when it comes to machetes, crossbows any like, you know, 124 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:46,640 Speaker 1: and I don't even know what you're selling there. I'm 125 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:48,560 Speaker 1: usually just in there for fishing gear as you know, 126 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:49,560 Speaker 1: ron for my son. 127 00:06:50,560 --> 00:06:53,880 Speaker 2: Interesting you so that, Katie, because we no longer sell crossbows, 128 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:57,400 Speaker 2: well there you go sold machetes for some time, you know, 129 00:06:57,600 --> 00:06:59,599 Speaker 2: rather make a quick bucket is things that you know, 130 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:02,240 Speaker 2: we've seen other stores targeted and ram raid for that 131 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:06,479 Speaker 2: sort of thing. So yeah, and like I said, this particular, 132 00:07:07,040 --> 00:07:10,560 Speaker 2: this particular thing looks it's actually for us, it's a 133 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:13,200 Speaker 2: if we haven't if we make an error, then it's 134 00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:17,560 Speaker 2: actually an offense under the with our firearms dealers license. 135 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:21,160 Speaker 2: And that is that's very well. There are as TRACONI 136 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:23,440 Speaker 2: in terms of there's there's no gray area of that. 137 00:07:23,760 --> 00:07:26,040 Speaker 2: It's a one strike, you're out policy. So we will 138 00:07:27,040 --> 00:07:30,440 Speaker 2: go over and above ensuring that all the right cro 139 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:32,880 Speaker 2: here is followed, otherwise it could cost fishing out the 140 00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:34,040 Speaker 2: word big time. Yeah. 141 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:37,000 Speaker 1: Absolutely, Hey, just really quickly. You've got to be an 142 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:40,000 Speaker 1: Australian citizen to be able to purchase it. Is that correct? 143 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 2: Yes, So obviously people that are here, people that are 144 00:07:43,840 --> 00:07:46,400 Speaker 2: here on a work visa or some sort of visa, 145 00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:49,440 Speaker 2: they have to show that. So I'm not sure what 146 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:51,920 Speaker 2: that looks like now that everything's electronics of people to 147 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:54,440 Speaker 2: have their passport and then they'd have something on their 148 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:58,000 Speaker 2: phone indicated that they were a they have residents in 149 00:07:58,040 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 2: this residency in Australia for a period. But you know 150 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:04,000 Speaker 2: that would apply to I guess those you know, bar 151 00:08:04,160 --> 00:08:08,080 Speaker 2: staff and hospitality workers again finishing late at night walking 152 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:10,480 Speaker 2: back to their car or walk them back down Mitchell 153 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:14,760 Speaker 2: Street to their accommodation, giving them a sense of feeling safe. 154 00:08:14,760 --> 00:08:17,560 Speaker 2: But yeah, someone who is just here on a holiday, 155 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:20,760 Speaker 2: they can't you know, they might not be over eighteen 156 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:23,040 Speaker 2: and all of that and may not be a prohibitive person, 157 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:25,440 Speaker 2: but they can't buy without being Australian. 158 00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:28,800 Speaker 1: Well, very interesting stuff, and I know that plenty of 159 00:08:28,800 --> 00:08:31,160 Speaker 1: our listeners have already been in contact this morning, you know, 160 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:33,600 Speaker 1: saying whether they are or aren't going to get their 161 00:08:33,640 --> 00:08:35,720 Speaker 1: hands on the OC spray. 162 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:38,080 Speaker 2: That's right, and that it's up to each person whether 163 00:08:38,120 --> 00:08:39,280 Speaker 2: they feel star doing that. 164 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:41,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, ron, I tell you what though. One thing that 165 00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:44,160 Speaker 1: everybody wanted on Friday, and we had people calling in. 166 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:46,679 Speaker 1: I wonder how hot they've been running off the shelves 167 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:49,240 Speaker 1: at Fishing and Outdoor World is the land based Fishing 168 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:51,439 Speaker 1: Guide made. Everybody wanted one. 169 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:54,559 Speaker 2: Well we've committed. We bought five hundred of them. I thought, well, 170 00:08:54,559 --> 00:08:56,520 Speaker 2: that's a bit that we stacked there. We're turning through 171 00:08:56,520 --> 00:08:58,480 Speaker 2: those of the raid or Not. What a great book. 172 00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 2: It would be a huge demand. It was a huge 173 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:03,080 Speaker 2: demand in its original form, and it was it was 174 00:09:03,080 --> 00:09:06,680 Speaker 2: pretty basic, you know, hellyfish Mark Rules put that out 175 00:09:06,679 --> 00:09:08,360 Speaker 2: some time ago, and it was it was good. But 176 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:12,080 Speaker 2: this this new edition, as I've said, it's it's on steroids. 177 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:14,199 Speaker 2: It's got so much to it. It's a credit to 178 00:09:14,720 --> 00:09:17,280 Speaker 2: a they've Yeah, Dave's put a lot of a lot 179 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:18,719 Speaker 2: of work. Dave and Joe put a lot of work 180 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:20,840 Speaker 2: into that, and yet that has been flying off the shelves. 181 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:23,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, good stuff. Well, Ron, lovely to speak to you 182 00:09:23,559 --> 00:09:25,640 Speaker 1: this morning. Really appreciate your time. I'll let you get 183 00:09:25,679 --> 00:09:29,560 Speaker 1: back to business. No, thanks, Katie, thank you, thanks so much.