The Shooters and Fishers Party are way off target if they expect conservationists and the community
to accept political deals that open up national parks to hunting and ban new national parks and marine
parks, according to the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
As reported in today’s Sydney Morning Herald, the Shooters Party presented the former Labor
government with a long ‘hunting’ list winding back vital environment protection for our native wildlife,
special places and marine environments.
Given the new NSW government will need to negotiate passage of legislation through the Upper
House, Premier Barry O’Farrell must hold firm against giving in to the destructive demands of the
minority Shooters Party.
“During the recent election campaign, the Coalition firmly ruled out the introduction of hunting and
shooting in national parks. This rightly reflects the view of many in our community that blood sports
have no place in our well-loved national parks,” Chief Executive Officer Pepe Clarke said today.
“For conservation reasons and public safety, feral animal control in our parks is not a suitable job for
amateurs.
“The Coalition’s recently released plan for environmental protection in NSW included a commitment
to establish new national parks and an independent review of marine parks in the next term of
government. Premier O’Farrell also took personal responsibility for the environment when he brought
the portfolio under his direct leadership and direction as part of the Department of Premier and
Cabinet last week.
“Premier O’Farrell must hold the line and not give in to a vocal minority seeking to sabotage essential
safeguards for the environment.
“An early test will be whether the State government can deliver adequate protection for our oceans
and marine life with its upcoming scientific review of marine parks. More than 85 per cent of the
community support the creation of marine parks and there is overwhelming scientific evidence they
work.
"Marine conservation should be based on the best available science and community input, not the
opinions of minority groups.
“In coming years there are some significant environment policy decisions facing NSW, from the future
of marine parks to the proper management of our national parks. Our community needs full
confidence that these decisions will be taken free of undue influence from backroom political deals,”
Mr Clarke said.
