PSA breaks Labor ranks: urges members to reject shooting in national parks

PSA General Secretary John Cahill has urged his members not to cooperate with establishing recreational hunting programs in national parks, and he has called on park rangers and other members to attend a protest against the Shooters' plans to be held outside the NSW parliament at Noon tomorrow.

"Our national parks are an Australian icon and recreational shooting in all these parks should be ruled out by Premier Rees," Ms Rhiannon said.

"It is time the Premier showed some courage on this issue and announced that there will be no more negotiations with the two Shooters MPs on this issue.

"Mr Cahill also criticised the government's interactions with the NSW Shooters Party.

"The PSA has questioned 'the motives of the government', raising the concern that it has only been done 'to garner the support of the Shooters Party to assist in passing legislation'.

"Mr Cahill's criticism of recreational hunting joins a long list of growing opposition to hunting in national parks.

"The Greens, other MPs and animal welfare and environment groups are being bombarded with calls, letters and emails from the public expressing their dismay at the move to allow shooting in national parks.

"For the PSA to break ranks with Labor in this way shows how universally repugnant shooting in national parks is and how low the government's reputation has sunk.

"The Greens remain concerned that current recreational hunting programs overseen by the NSW Game Council are undermining the success of the professional feral animal control programs.

"Mr Cahill also raises this concern stating that such programs would be 'severely compromised' if the Shooters plan is adopted by the government," Ms Rhiannon said.


For more information:  Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
Protest details - http://leerhiannon.org.au/emergency-protest-stop-shooting-in-national-parks