Orange Shooters MP Philip Donato said the changes put forward in the draft Firearms Regulation 2017 would create more “paperwork and red-tape” for farmers.

“Landowners will have to complete more unnecessary and intrusive paperwork, disclosing their personal information, firearms licence details, drivers licence details, property size and email address,” Mr Donato said.

However, Police Minister Troy Grant said that was not the case and “the Member for Orange has misunderstood the regulation”.

“The proposed change does not constitute any change to the policy or intent of the existing clause – it simply constitutes a change in language,” Mr Grant said.

“The proposal is attempting to streamline the language and provide for other approved forms that the written permission may take – allowing for the digitalisation of documents or future online systems.

“The term ‘in the approved form’ is a drafting convention and is used in many pieces of legislation and regulation.

“The term does not mandate the use of a single paper form.”

The proposed amendment does not prevent a person from using a Statutory Declaration or a letter from the landowner as they do now.

They are, and would remain, an approved form, Mr Grant said, and under the current regulation if the permission is not in writing, it must be verified by a statutory declaration.

The government will consider the submissions it received before finalising the regulation.