Document Actions
New Shooters Party Bill allows hunting in national parks and private game reserves
Friday 12 June 2009
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has called on the Environment Minister Carmel Tebbutt to reject outright a new bill from the Shooters Party that paves the way for hunting in national parks, private game reserves, the hunting of native species and the growth of recreational shooting on public and private lands (Sydney Morning Herald, page 6, 12 June 2009).
The Game and Feral Animal Control Amendment Bill was introduced into the NSW Upper House by Shooters Party MP Robert Brown last week.
"If the government backs this regressive legislation it is sinking to a new low of deal making which sacrifices principle to shore up the support of the Shooters Party," Ms Rhiannon said.
"Opening up state forests to shooters was bad enough, but this is a step too far. Allowing hunters in national parks would create a real threat to public safety and native wildlife, and destroy the pristine qualities of our parks.
"The Shooters Party try to paint this legislation as environmentally responsible but it is really an act of vandalism, risking the spread of feral animals into new areas.
"Feral animals are a problem which requires professional, planned control programs not this ad hoc and unaccountable approach.
"Ms Tebbutt will have trouble distancing herself from this move. Her colleague Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald and the NSW Game Council recommended these series of changes in its June report reviewing game and feral animal control legislation.
"If the government backs this Bill, Labor's ménage à trois with the Shooters Party and Fred Nile will look more and more sordid.
"The government's largess towards the Shooters Party appears to know no bounds. Labor and the Coalition have already backed changes that weaken gun laws and make it easier for men on domestic violence orders to have their weapons returned.
"The ludicrous nature of this bill is illustrated by provisions making it an offence for the public to approach hunters shooting in declared areas.
"Carmel Tebbutt must challenge her colleagues to reject this bill in its entirety.
"Opposing aspects of the bill - shooting in national parks of native animals - may well be a tactic Labor is using to divert attention from its support for other equally regressive changes being pushed by the Shooters," Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information:9230 3551, 0427 861 568
