Hunters to fire at will in State Forests - 14 July 2006

The Iemma Government’s decision to increase the number of New South Wales State Forests where hunting is allowed means the state’s native animals will lose and public safety will be at risk, said Greens Upper House MPs Ian Cohen and Lee Rhiannon.

“The addition of another 46 forests means an open season for hunters in half of NSW State Forests, or more precisely, 1.39 million hectares,” Mr Cohen, Greens environment spokesperson said.

“The Government says the reason is “conservation hunting” or feral animal control, which is a nonsense.

“It is not in the interests of hunters to rid State Forests of feral animals – if they did, there would be nothing left to hunt.

“The public will be effectively locked out of the forests where bushwalking, birdwatching and camping was previously available to everyone.

Greens Upper House MP and firearms spokesperson, Lee Rhiannon, said public safety will be at risk under the new laws.

“These so-called hunters are not trained experts, they are recreational shooters with no local knowledge who will be shooting within firing distance of homes, workplaces and popular recreation spots,” said Ms Rhiannon.

“The Greens are calling for Natural Resources Minister, Ian Macdonald, to overturn the ill-conceived and reckless new hunting laws.

“In response to widespread public concern, the Greens are hosting a forum at Parliament House on August 14 2006 to build a statewide campaign to repeal the new laws.”