Animal advocates shoot down bill for enabling 'yahoos'
Environmentalists have opened fire on a bill which could pay recreational hunters for killing invasive pests, describing the plan as enabling a "fringe minority of men" to let loose.
A bill before NSW parliament aims to establish a Conservation Hunting Authority, with debate in the upper house taking place on Wednesday.
It would better enable "conservation hunting" on private and public land to control invasive animals, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Robert Borsak told parliament.
It would also recognise hunting as a cultural activity with social and economic benefits.
"It is about responsible conservation, ethical hunting and ensuring that our public lands are managed in a way that benefits everyone."
The proposed plan would introduce bounties for killing foxes, cats and feral pigs, which the authority could oversee, the MP explained.
But Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst described those partaking in such activities as a bunch of "yahoos".
"Recreational hunting is not about conservation," she said on Wednesday.
"This is a fringe minority of people in our society, predominantly men, who like to kill animals for so-called fun. It is a form of dangerous violence.
"Allowing yahoos with very limited training or experience to go out and shoot animals creates an unacceptable animal welfare risk."
Biodiversity Council director James Trezise said co-ordinated baiting and trapping as well as aerial culls are more effective at large-scale population reduction.
"Whilst recreational hunting is a perfectly valid hobby, it isn't an effective tool for invasive species management."
Victoria and the Northern Territory have well-regulated public land hunting programs which have delivered positive pest management results, Mr Borsak added.
The proposed hunting authority would comprise eight members, half of whom would be nominated by "prescribed hunting organisations".
It would represent the interests of licensed hunters, liaise on land management and make recommendations to ministers on game and feral animal management.
A new licence would be created for conservation hunters, aimed at training them in the use of night-vision technology and infrared scopes and allowing them to use suppressors on rifles.
Environment Minister Penny Sharpe defended the government's approach in trying to cull feral animal populations by any means necessary.
"Invasive species are one of the largest harms that occur to nature and to our ecosystems across our state - it is worth billions of dollars of harm," she told parliament.
"This is not going to solve our invasive species problem... but having more people with their shoulder to the wheel being in a position to take out feral animals wherever they are ... is something that just helps."
Environmentalists have opened fire on a bill which could pay recreational hunters for killing invasive pests, describing the plan as enabling a "fringe minority of men" to let loose.
A bill before NSW parliament aims to establish a Conservation Hunting Authority, with debate in the upper house taking place on Wednesday.
It would better enable "conservation hunting" on private and public land to control invasive animals, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Robert Borsak told parliament.
It would also recognise hunting as a cultural activity with social and economic benefits.
"It is about responsible conservation, ethical hunting and ensuring that our public lands are managed in a way that benefits everyone."
The proposed plan would introduce bounties for killing foxes, cats and feral pigs, which the authority could oversee, the MP explained.
But Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst described those partaking in such activities as a bunch of "yahoos".
"Recreational hunting is not about conservation," she said on Wednesday.
"This is a fringe minority of people in our society, predominantly men, who like to kill animals for so-called fun. It is a form of dangerous violence.
"Allowing yahoos with very limited training or experience to go out and shoot animals creates an unacceptable animal welfare risk."
Biodiversity Council director James Trezise said co-ordinated baiting and trapping as well as aerial culls are more effective at large-scale population reduction.
"Whilst recreational hunting is a perfectly valid hobby, it isn't an effective tool for invasive species management."
Victoria and the Northern Territory have well-regulated public land hunting programs which have delivered positive pest management results, Mr Borsak added.
The proposed hunting authority would comprise eight members, half of whom would be nominated by "prescribed hunting organisations".
It would represent the interests of licensed hunters, liaise on land management and make recommendations to ministers on game and feral animal management.
A new licence would be created for conservation hunters, aimed at training them in the use of night-vision technology and infrared scopes and allowing them to use suppressors on rifles.
Environment Minister Penny Sharpe defended the government's approach in trying to cull feral animal populations by any means necessary.
"Invasive species are one of the largest harms that occur to nature and to our ecosystems across our state - it is worth billions of dollars of harm," she told parliament.
"This is not going to solve our invasive species problem... but having more people with their shoulder to the wheel being in a position to take out feral animals wherever they are ... is something that just helps."
Environmentalists have opened fire on a bill which could pay recreational hunters for killing invasive pests, describing the plan as enabling a "fringe minority of men" to let loose.
A bill before NSW parliament aims to establish a Conservation Hunting Authority, with debate in the upper house taking place on Wednesday.
It would better enable "conservation hunting" on private and public land to control invasive animals, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Robert Borsak told parliament.
It would also recognise hunting as a cultural activity with social and economic benefits.
"It is about responsible conservation, ethical hunting and ensuring that our public lands are managed in a way that benefits everyone."
The proposed plan would introduce bounties for killing foxes, cats and feral pigs, which the authority could oversee, the MP explained.
But Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst described those partaking in such activities as a bunch of "yahoos".
"Recreational hunting is not about conservation," she said on Wednesday.
"This is a fringe minority of people in our society, predominantly men, who like to kill animals for so-called fun. It is a form of dangerous violence.
"Allowing yahoos with very limited training or experience to go out and shoot animals creates an unacceptable animal welfare risk."
Biodiversity Council director James Trezise said co-ordinated baiting and trapping as well as aerial culls are more effective at large-scale population reduction.
"Whilst recreational hunting is a perfectly valid hobby, it isn't an effective tool for invasive species management."
Victoria and the Northern Territory have well-regulated public land hunting programs which have delivered positive pest management results, Mr Borsak added.
The proposed hunting authority would comprise eight members, half of whom would be nominated by "prescribed hunting organisations".
It would represent the interests of licensed hunters, liaise on land management and make recommendations to ministers on game and feral animal management.
A new licence would be created for conservation hunters, aimed at training them in the use of night-vision technology and infrared scopes and allowing them to use suppressors on rifles.
Environment Minister Penny Sharpe defended the government's approach in trying to cull feral animal populations by any means necessary.
"Invasive species are one of the largest harms that occur to nature and to our ecosystems across our state - it is worth billions of dollars of harm," she told parliament.
"This is not going to solve our invasive species problem... but having more people with their shoulder to the wheel being in a position to take out feral animals wherever they are ... is something that just helps."
Environmentalists have opened fire on a bill which could pay recreational hunters for killing invasive pests, describing the plan as enabling a "fringe minority of men" to let loose.
A bill before NSW parliament aims to establish a Conservation Hunting Authority, with debate in the upper house taking place on Wednesday.
It would better enable "conservation hunting" on private and public land to control invasive animals, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Robert Borsak told parliament.
It would also recognise hunting as a cultural activity with social and economic benefits.
"It is about responsible conservation, ethical hunting and ensuring that our public lands are managed in a way that benefits everyone."
The proposed plan would introduce bounties for killing foxes, cats and feral pigs, which the authority could oversee, the MP explained.
But Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst described those partaking in such activities as a bunch of "yahoos".
"Recreational hunting is not about conservation," she said on Wednesday.
"This is a fringe minority of people in our society, predominantly men, who like to kill animals for so-called fun. It is a form of dangerous violence.
"Allowing yahoos with very limited training or experience to go out and shoot animals creates an unacceptable animal welfare risk."
Biodiversity Council director James Trezise said co-ordinated baiting and trapping as well as aerial culls are more effective at large-scale population reduction.
"Whilst recreational hunting is a perfectly valid hobby, it isn't an effective tool for invasive species management."
Victoria and the Northern Territory have well-regulated public land hunting programs which have delivered positive pest management results, Mr Borsak added.
The proposed hunting authority would comprise eight members, half of whom would be nominated by "prescribed hunting organisations".
It would represent the interests of licensed hunters, liaise on land management and make recommendations to ministers on game and feral animal management.
A new licence would be created for conservation hunters, aimed at training them in the use of night-vision technology and infrared scopes and allowing them to use suppressors on rifles.
Environment Minister Penny Sharpe defended the government's approach in trying to cull feral animal populations by any means necessary.
"Invasive species are one of the largest harms that occur to nature and to our ecosystems across our state - it is worth billions of dollars of harm," she told parliament.
"This is not going to solve our invasive species problem... but having more people with their shoulder to the wheel being in a position to take out feral animals wherever they are ... is something that just helps."
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Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Shooters want a ‘right to hunt'. How about a right not to be shot?
If anyone is in doubt about the real motivation behind the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party's new Conservation Hunting Bill, just listen to the gun lobby. The Sporting Shooter magazine has declared it 'the biggest victory for hunters in two decades'. Despite the bill being framed around conservation and environmental management, the shooting community isn't talking about protecting habitats or restoring biodiversity. It's celebrating a 'right to hunt', access to silencers and myriad other 'benefits' from a shooting industry proverbial Christmas shopping list. This bill is not about conservation; it's a Trojan horse for the gun lobby, and it seems it's being ushered in through backroom political deals. The NSW government appears willing to trade public safety for political convenience, seeking the Shooters Party's support to push through its own legislation, such as the workers' compensation bill. We've been here before. The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party has previously pushed similar agendas – and now it's leaning heavily on the conservation framework, a justification emphatically rejected by conservation bodies. The last time the state government did a deal with the Shooters Party, in 2012, it led to hunting being permitted in national parks – alongside bushwalkers, campers and families. Public safety took a back seat to political convenience. Loading Let's take a look at some of the proposed changes in this new bill. It seeks to: Establish a conservation hunting authority. This would revive an idea that failed spectacularly in the past. The former Game Council was abolished in 2013 after a scathing review found public safety was not prioritised. Rather, we got poor governance and prioritising hunter interests over public good. A new authority would inherit the same structural conflicts – once again, it would be a proxy for the firearm industry. Recognise and make provision for a 'right to hunt'. This strikes at the very heart of Australia's firearm safety framework. The National Firearms Agreement – signed by all states, including NSW – affirms that gun ownership is a privilege, not a right, and must always be subject to the overriding principle of public safety. This is also the primary objective of the NSW Firearms Act. Since the Port Arthur tragedy of 1996, nearly 90 per cent of Australians have supported our firearm safety framework or want it tighter. This new hunting bill seeks to rewrite the fundamental tenet of firearm safety. Who but firearm users would want laws that make it easier to get and use a gun?
The Age
3 days ago
- The Age
Shooters want a ‘right to hunt'. How about a right not to be shot?
If anyone is in doubt about the real motivation behind the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party's new Conservation Hunting Bill, just listen to the gun lobby. The Sporting Shooter magazine has declared it 'the biggest victory for hunters in two decades'. Despite the bill being framed around conservation and environmental management, the shooting community isn't talking about protecting habitats or restoring biodiversity. It's celebrating a 'right to hunt', access to silencers and myriad other 'benefits' from a shooting industry proverbial Christmas shopping list. This bill is not about conservation; it's a Trojan horse for the gun lobby, and it seems it's being ushered in through backroom political deals. The NSW government appears willing to trade public safety for political convenience, seeking the Shooters Party's support to push through its own legislation, such as the workers' compensation bill. We've been here before. The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party has previously pushed similar agendas – and now it's leaning heavily on the conservation framework, a justification emphatically rejected by conservation bodies. The last time the state government did a deal with the Shooters Party, in 2012, it led to hunting being permitted in national parks – alongside bushwalkers, campers and families. Public safety took a back seat to political convenience. Loading Let's take a look at some of the proposed changes in this new bill. It seeks to: Establish a conservation hunting authority. This would revive an idea that failed spectacularly in the past. The former Game Council was abolished in 2013 after a scathing review found public safety was not prioritised. Rather, we got poor governance and prioritising hunter interests over public good. A new authority would inherit the same structural conflicts – once again, it would be a proxy for the firearm industry. Recognise and make provision for a 'right to hunt'. This strikes at the very heart of Australia's firearm safety framework. The National Firearms Agreement – signed by all states, including NSW – affirms that gun ownership is a privilege, not a right, and must always be subject to the overriding principle of public safety. This is also the primary objective of the NSW Firearms Act. Since the Port Arthur tragedy of 1996, nearly 90 per cent of Australians have supported our firearm safety framework or want it tighter. This new hunting bill seeks to rewrite the fundamental tenet of firearm safety. Who but firearm users would want laws that make it easier to get and use a gun?
The Advertiser
04-06-2025
- The Advertiser
Animal advocates shoot down bill for enabling 'yahoos'
Environmentalists have opened fire on a bill which could pay recreational hunters for killing invasive pests, describing the plan as enabling a "fringe minority of men" to let loose. A bill before NSW parliament aims to establish a Conservation Hunting Authority, with debate in the upper house taking place on Wednesday. It would better enable "conservation hunting" on private and public land to control invasive animals, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Robert Borsak told parliament. It would also recognise hunting as a cultural activity with social and economic benefits. "It is about responsible conservation, ethical hunting and ensuring that our public lands are managed in a way that benefits everyone." The proposed plan would introduce bounties for killing foxes, cats and feral pigs, which the authority could oversee, the MP explained. But Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst described those partaking in such activities as a bunch of "yahoos". "Recreational hunting is not about conservation," she said on Wednesday. "This is a fringe minority of people in our society, predominantly men, who like to kill animals for so-called fun. It is a form of dangerous violence. "Allowing yahoos with very limited training or experience to go out and shoot animals creates an unacceptable animal welfare risk." Biodiversity Council director James Trezise said co-ordinated baiting and trapping as well as aerial culls are more effective at large-scale population reduction. "Whilst recreational hunting is a perfectly valid hobby, it isn't an effective tool for invasive species management." Victoria and the Northern Territory have well-regulated public land hunting programs which have delivered positive pest management results, Mr Borsak added. The proposed hunting authority would comprise eight members, half of whom would be nominated by "prescribed hunting organisations". It would represent the interests of licensed hunters, liaise on land management and make recommendations to ministers on game and feral animal management. A new licence would be created for conservation hunters, aimed at training them in the use of night-vision technology and infrared scopes and allowing them to use suppressors on rifles. Environment Minister Penny Sharpe defended the government's approach in trying to cull feral animal populations by any means necessary. "Invasive species are one of the largest harms that occur to nature and to our ecosystems across our state - it is worth billions of dollars of harm," she told parliament. "This is not going to solve our invasive species problem... but having more people with their shoulder to the wheel being in a position to take out feral animals wherever they are ... is something that just helps." Environmentalists have opened fire on a bill which could pay recreational hunters for killing invasive pests, describing the plan as enabling a "fringe minority of men" to let loose. A bill before NSW parliament aims to establish a Conservation Hunting Authority, with debate in the upper house taking place on Wednesday. It would better enable "conservation hunting" on private and public land to control invasive animals, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Robert Borsak told parliament. It would also recognise hunting as a cultural activity with social and economic benefits. "It is about responsible conservation, ethical hunting and ensuring that our public lands are managed in a way that benefits everyone." The proposed plan would introduce bounties for killing foxes, cats and feral pigs, which the authority could oversee, the MP explained. But Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst described those partaking in such activities as a bunch of "yahoos". "Recreational hunting is not about conservation," she said on Wednesday. "This is a fringe minority of people in our society, predominantly men, who like to kill animals for so-called fun. It is a form of dangerous violence. "Allowing yahoos with very limited training or experience to go out and shoot animals creates an unacceptable animal welfare risk." Biodiversity Council director James Trezise said co-ordinated baiting and trapping as well as aerial culls are more effective at large-scale population reduction. "Whilst recreational hunting is a perfectly valid hobby, it isn't an effective tool for invasive species management." Victoria and the Northern Territory have well-regulated public land hunting programs which have delivered positive pest management results, Mr Borsak added. The proposed hunting authority would comprise eight members, half of whom would be nominated by "prescribed hunting organisations". It would represent the interests of licensed hunters, liaise on land management and make recommendations to ministers on game and feral animal management. A new licence would be created for conservation hunters, aimed at training them in the use of night-vision technology and infrared scopes and allowing them to use suppressors on rifles. Environment Minister Penny Sharpe defended the government's approach in trying to cull feral animal populations by any means necessary. "Invasive species are one of the largest harms that occur to nature and to our ecosystems across our state - it is worth billions of dollars of harm," she told parliament. "This is not going to solve our invasive species problem... but having more people with their shoulder to the wheel being in a position to take out feral animals wherever they are ... is something that just helps." Environmentalists have opened fire on a bill which could pay recreational hunters for killing invasive pests, describing the plan as enabling a "fringe minority of men" to let loose. A bill before NSW parliament aims to establish a Conservation Hunting Authority, with debate in the upper house taking place on Wednesday. It would better enable "conservation hunting" on private and public land to control invasive animals, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Robert Borsak told parliament. It would also recognise hunting as a cultural activity with social and economic benefits. "It is about responsible conservation, ethical hunting and ensuring that our public lands are managed in a way that benefits everyone." The proposed plan would introduce bounties for killing foxes, cats and feral pigs, which the authority could oversee, the MP explained. But Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst described those partaking in such activities as a bunch of "yahoos". "Recreational hunting is not about conservation," she said on Wednesday. "This is a fringe minority of people in our society, predominantly men, who like to kill animals for so-called fun. It is a form of dangerous violence. "Allowing yahoos with very limited training or experience to go out and shoot animals creates an unacceptable animal welfare risk." Biodiversity Council director James Trezise said co-ordinated baiting and trapping as well as aerial culls are more effective at large-scale population reduction. "Whilst recreational hunting is a perfectly valid hobby, it isn't an effective tool for invasive species management." Victoria and the Northern Territory have well-regulated public land hunting programs which have delivered positive pest management results, Mr Borsak added. The proposed hunting authority would comprise eight members, half of whom would be nominated by "prescribed hunting organisations". It would represent the interests of licensed hunters, liaise on land management and make recommendations to ministers on game and feral animal management. A new licence would be created for conservation hunters, aimed at training them in the use of night-vision technology and infrared scopes and allowing them to use suppressors on rifles. Environment Minister Penny Sharpe defended the government's approach in trying to cull feral animal populations by any means necessary. "Invasive species are one of the largest harms that occur to nature and to our ecosystems across our state - it is worth billions of dollars of harm," she told parliament. "This is not going to solve our invasive species problem... but having more people with their shoulder to the wheel being in a position to take out feral animals wherever they are ... is something that just helps." Environmentalists have opened fire on a bill which could pay recreational hunters for killing invasive pests, describing the plan as enabling a "fringe minority of men" to let loose. A bill before NSW parliament aims to establish a Conservation Hunting Authority, with debate in the upper house taking place on Wednesday. It would better enable "conservation hunting" on private and public land to control invasive animals, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Robert Borsak told parliament. It would also recognise hunting as a cultural activity with social and economic benefits. "It is about responsible conservation, ethical hunting and ensuring that our public lands are managed in a way that benefits everyone." The proposed plan would introduce bounties for killing foxes, cats and feral pigs, which the authority could oversee, the MP explained. But Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst described those partaking in such activities as a bunch of "yahoos". "Recreational hunting is not about conservation," she said on Wednesday. "This is a fringe minority of people in our society, predominantly men, who like to kill animals for so-called fun. It is a form of dangerous violence. "Allowing yahoos with very limited training or experience to go out and shoot animals creates an unacceptable animal welfare risk." Biodiversity Council director James Trezise said co-ordinated baiting and trapping as well as aerial culls are more effective at large-scale population reduction. "Whilst recreational hunting is a perfectly valid hobby, it isn't an effective tool for invasive species management." Victoria and the Northern Territory have well-regulated public land hunting programs which have delivered positive pest management results, Mr Borsak added. The proposed hunting authority would comprise eight members, half of whom would be nominated by "prescribed hunting organisations". It would represent the interests of licensed hunters, liaise on land management and make recommendations to ministers on game and feral animal management. A new licence would be created for conservation hunters, aimed at training them in the use of night-vision technology and infrared scopes and allowing them to use suppressors on rifles. Environment Minister Penny Sharpe defended the government's approach in trying to cull feral animal populations by any means necessary. "Invasive species are one of the largest harms that occur to nature and to our ecosystems across our state - it is worth billions of dollars of harm," she told parliament. "This is not going to solve our invasive species problem... but having more people with their shoulder to the wheel being in a position to take out feral animals wherever they are ... is something that just helps."
