birding-aus

New NSW Game and Feral Animal Control Act

To: "Birding-Aus Aus" <>
Subject: New NSW Game and Feral Animal Control Act
From: "storm" <>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:11:14 +1000
Just when you thought the topic had died. HSI have put out a cheat sheet
that gives an easy guide of who to write to and suggestions of what to say.
People may like to contribute letters:

http://www.hsi.org.au/index.php?catID=501
Oppose an increase in legalised hunting in NSW

ACT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

The NSW Shooters Party has introduced a Bill into the NSW Parliament that if
passed will see national parks opened up to recreational hunting, legalised
hunting of native animals, and the designation of private game reserves
where animals will be fenced in for easy targeting. The Bill seeks to
regress conservation efforts in NSW, and in many ways proposes serious risks
not only to native wildlife and the pristine qualities of national parks,
but also to public safety and civil liberties.

This Bill could be debated in Parliament as early as tomorrow.

Already there is talk of deals being done between the NSW Government and the
Shooters Party that may see the passage of at least some provisions in the
Bill. It is essential that opposition to this Bill, in its entirety, is
registered with the Government urgently.

Action:

Write to the Hon. Carmel Tebbutt, Minister for Climate Change and
Environment at  Ask that the NSW
Government oppose all aspects of this Bill and reject it in its entirety.
Send copies of your letter to the Hon. Catherine Cusack, Shadow Minister for
Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability at
 and NSW Premier Nathan Rees at


Points to make in your letter:

    * Recreational hunters must never be allowed access to conservation
lands managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. National parks are
highly biodiverse havens for native species, and hunters must not be given
free reign within any designated protected areas. National parks are also
heavily frequented by members of the public, and allowing recreational
hunting in these areas brings up a suite of public safety issues.
    * Recreational hunters must not be permitted to shoot native animals
under any circumstances. While most other States have moved to phase out the
iniquitous practice of duck hunting, this Bill is essentially proposing its
reintroduction. Other native fauna such as galahs, corellas, and kangaroos
are also proposed as permissible game. There is no possible justification
for the rampant hunting of native species, and the proposals to advocate
these activities must be vehemently opposed.
    * Contrary to claims by the Game Council, there is no reputable evidence
to suggest that the ad hoc hunting of feral animals by recreational shooters
in any way advances moves to control their spread. In contrast, the paths
and roads that will be newly cut through national parks as hunting access is
increased, and the use of hunting dogs, will further risk the spreading of
feral animals into new areas.
    * Private game reserves must remain illegal in NSW. These are
essentially "canned hunting" reserves where animals are enclosed within
areas, with no means of escape, and where they can be easily trapped and
killed. These facilities have been the cause of widespread political
activism and public aversion in the United States and South Africa. They are
cruel and unnecessary and a pitiful way for "hunters" to make an easy kill.
    * The provisions making it an offence for any member of the public to
approach hunters shooting in declared areas are absurd. It is the public and
private landholders who face ongoing threats of intimidation and invasion of
privacy from hunters who routinely jump fences and use firearms in
dangerously close proximity to farm buildings and rural residences.

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