If we can't watch Underbelly, can we play with Megatron?

Picking up from the Questions by Newbies thread and a discussion with Dirge last night, I'm thinking it's time to seriously start discussing how we can make owning Megatron toys legal in Victoria.

Now Tiby has done a lot of the hardwork already and we might be able to reuse a lot of that work and adapt as needed.

I'm happy to help and put my name to support things but when it comes to the type of negotiating and meetings Tiby held I'm openly admiting I'd be out of my depth.

Who else wants to work on this?

I don't mind. I'd be in. It's a long process though.

While NSW doesn't set a precedent as such, you do have Tiby's work as a basic plan of attack (so to speak).

You can also make reference to the outcome here - ie a specific permit. That way you're going to Victoria Police (or whoever it is you'd have to approach) with a clear outcome in mind, and one that still offers "protection" to the community at large.

If they do ask you to meet certain requirements, and you need any assistance, feel free to check with the NSW Megatron Club officeholders (Tiby and myself) (:

my name is already in the Tiby's petition list so i'm ready to support here if required to. of cos its also way out of my league being just a permanent residence.

Now that we have a working model in NSW, which has the highest crime rate and incidence of crimes with such replicas and handguns (so the Ministry told me) I think we have real options to hand the governments of other states on a silver platter.

Hell I'm in, what is our first move after we get our recruits?

The first move is to liase with the relevant authorities in Victoria (Police, Weapons division of Justice ministry). See if we can grease the wheels and develop a process allowing MP-05 in the hands of responsible collectors.

From there, we may have to set up a Victorian branch of the Megatron Club. Which may require local Committee members rather than the NSW based committee members of the NSW branch.

Anyone willing to do that?

Okay troops, I have taken it upon myself to contact the Vic authorites. Here is my draft letter. You will note I have made myself a representative on this issue for Vic collectors. Please let me know if anyone objects.

Mr Tibor Csapo
President
Megatron Club Incorporated
PO Box 142
FIGTREE NSW 2525

5 March 2008
Hon. Bob Cameron
Minister for Police and Emergency Services
Victoria
Level 26, 121 Exhibition Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000

Also by email: bob.cameron@parilament.vic.gov.au

Dear Mr Cameron,

Re: Importation and possession of Transformers Masterpiece Megatron toy

I am president of the Megatron Club Incorporated, an incorporated association in New South Wales. I am also a lawyer from Wollongong, New South Wales, and a moderator of Ozformers Transformers Collectors Australia.

I have recently successfully lobbied the New South Wales Minister for Police, Mr David Campbell, to provide a safe and legal way for serious Transformers action figure collectors to import and possess Masterpiece Megatron MP05 in New South Wales. The process can be found at www.megatron.net.au, but I also attach a copy of a letter I received from the NSW Firearms Registry outlining the situation in New South Wales.

I am in contact with many Transformers Fans across Australia. Ozformers includes members from Victoria. I have been asked to represent them in contacting yourself on this issue.

The Megatron Club Incorporated was specifically created to provide for members to legally possess Masterpiece Megatron MP05 under the NSW legislation. Applicants for a permit to possess Masterpiece Megatron MP05 are required to:

• Provide a genuine reason for ownership of the toy;
• Provide proof of membership to a collector’s club; and
• Abide by safe storage, surrender and disposal requirements.

Transformers are a popular series of action figures/toys which are action figure robots that turn into vehicles and other common objects. One of these is Megatron, the leader of the evil faction, who originally turned into a toy pistol. The toys were supported by a television show, comic books and now a live-action motion picture which screened in June 2007.

The toy line has continued for many years and has become very successful. The genius toymakers in Japan introduced a new line called “Masterpiece” series which revisited the original characters of the series and made them bigger and more detailed. This appealed to myself and other collectors of my vintage via the nostalgia of our youth.

Megatron is part of the Masterpiece series of figures, and it also turns into a toy pistol. The toy resembles a Walther P-38 pistol but is much larger than the actual weapon, so that the action figure/robot it turns into will sit well alongside the others in the line (which include a cab-over prime mover and fighter jet).

Being the charismatic, iconic evil leader of the enemy faction, acquiring it is the dream of many Australian collectors. The first of the “Masterpiece” series was Optimus Prime or Convoy (as it is known in Japan), the heroic leader of the good faction, known as Autobots. Having the two leaders is important for collectors.

Most of the members I represent have no interest in firearms and do not wish to acquire any, but simply wish to add a highly sought after figure to their collections.

As a lawyer I have undertaken a significant amount of training and am an officer of the Court, both in New South Wales and at a Federal level. I have sworn an oath and have had to prove I am a person of good character. I have since undertaken accreditation examinations in my area of law and am now a Law Society Accredited Specialist, which puts me in the top 10% of lawyers in New South Wales.

My fellow collectors are no different. They are simply normal people who enjoy a particular hobby.

I ask most sincerely that you consider adopting the New South Wales model to allow collectors to obtain a permit and legally import and possess this toy. Collectors have spent hundreds of dollars purchasing it for no other purpose but to include it in a collection.

I support gun control and laws that enforce it, but this is clearly a collector’s item. The Megatron toy costs around $150.00 on average so it is not a mass market item.

The New South Wales model for ownership of Megatron is very similar to the requirements set out in Part 4 of the Firearms Act 1996 (Vic). However, as per the New South Wales model, I would ask that the application fee for the permit be waived.

I am willing to discuss this further with you to consider other options.

Finally, I repeat my sincere request that you consider this matter and allow the controlled importing of this toy by genuine collectors in Victoria.

Yours faithfully,



Tibor Csapo

Tel: (B): 024221 9356
(M): 0417 747772
E: tibor@megatron.net.au

yeah tiby thats showing em!


Now all we need are some 19th century political cartoons to...Show em for the blood thirsty oppressors they are!

Right behind it, Tiby. Thanks heaps.

wow..this is getting interesting. Thanks Tibbbbbyyy

i'm thoroughly impressed with your work, tiby! good job sir!

Thanks everyone. I will send the letter today.

very impressive tiby :)

George

Hey ho Mexicans...

Here is the latest:

http://www.megatron.net.au/MC_Masterpiece_MP05_VIC.htm

damn those auto reply notices - "We ackowledge you sent us a letter a fortnight after you actually sent it"

foot in the door though, thanks Tibornator :)

George

As Borgeman said, Foot in the door, but what a Pi$$ poor reply you got Tib, I would have been fuming having gotten that reply, But then again, I'm angry most of the time anyway.. Great job mate.

Thanks a lot, Tiby. Might not be much but it's something.