Look out for more horror policies from the unholy alliance – Labor, Shooters and the Coalition

Look out for more horror policies from the unholy alliance – Labor, Shooters and the Coalition

One of the MPs elected in the recent state election, Shooters Party member Roy Smith, is pushing for a reintroduction of duck shooting and shooting feral animals in National Parks.

When I tell people that this push is on the usual comment is – it could not happen. But when you consider how the Labor government with the support of the Coalition have put in place so many Shooters Party policies the campaign to extend shooting to public places is a real worry.

In recent years the Shooters have won support from the major parties to establish the NSW Game Council to allow licensed shooters to hunt on public land; for more government funding of shooting clubs and regional shooting complexes; and lowering of minor's gun permits from ages 18 to 12.

Duck shooting was banned in NSW in 1995 – one of former Premier Bob Carr’s first decisions on taking office. But while Labor did stop shooters killing native water fowl, for the past decade they have readily agreed to the demands of the shooters lobby as the list of above “achievements” demonstrates.

And this close collaboration has also put in place a system for issuing gun licences that annually puts tens of thousands of dollars into shooting clubs. In the last state election much of this money was donated to the Shooters Party. I’ll pick up that saga in another blog.

But back to the ducks. Mr Smith made the call for duck shooting in his first speech to parliament.

On the day he gave his speech, May 30, another MP, Labor member Amanda Fazio, spoke in favour of making it easier for shooters to kill feral animals. Her comments reflect the continuing and worrying sympathy many government members have for the demands of the shooters.

The Greens are obviously committed to controlling feral animal numbers but this can be done using humane methods. In a letter to Ms Fazio Brian Sherman, Director of Voiceless sets out the alternatives. His letter is at the end of this blog.

Ms Fazio speech is a rambling contribution that leaves you unsure if her interest in shooting is so she can wear a fur jacket or some misplaced understanding about managing foxes. Either way it is a reminder that the shooters have friends within the Labor and Coalition parties who are waiting to back their dangerous policies.