[11] In 1977, Tingle established the Australian Telephone Users' Defence Union to advocate against the seemingly questionable accuracy of the accounting and billing system used by Telecom Australia.
[12] His 1982 radio documentary on the Polish background of Pope John Paul II won a United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Prize.
[13] Tingle has said he was compelled to establish the Shooters Party after increasing regulation of gun ownership in Australia which included the 1992 Firearms Act introduced into New South Wales parliament by police minister Ted Pickering.
[2][14] In his maiden speech, Tingle said he represented the thousands of outdoor enthusiasts who did not pose a threat to anyone and were frustrated that their activities were becoming limited by a confusing array of laws and regulations that made little sense and seemed to have no benefit.
Tingle was vocal in his opposition to the Howard government's proposal to reform Australia's gun laws following the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, although he agreed there was no need for average Australians to have access to semi-automatic or pump-action shotguns.
[19][20][21] He later described the period following the massacre as his "most unpleasant memory" due to the death threats he and his family received for several months, and the need to be protected by a Special Branch bodyguard.