NSW Labor back controversial plan to expand access for hunters

The NSW government will back a controversial proposal to expand access for hunters to Crown land and pave the way bounty killings of feral animals.

The Conservation Hunting Bill was first tabled by NSW Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers MLC MLC Rod Borsak earlier this year.

Proponents say the Bill will incorporate hunters into nature conservation and pest control by opening up state-owned land to hunters.

It would also pave the way for bounty killings of feral animals, and seeks to establish a new hunting minister and authority, and allow hunters access to suppressors.

Regional NSW Minister Tara Moriarty said Labor would back the proposal, but admitted it had “some issues” that would be addressed through amendments.

“In 2023, 24 hunters removed over 17,500 pest animals from public land,” Ms Moriarty said.

“Recreational hunting is, of course, not a cure-all for pest management, but it is a practical way to extend the reach of government funded programs.”

Ms Moriarty acknowledged there were “strong and differing views” about recreational hunting, but that the Bill was a “sensible middle ground”.

Under the Bill, some Crown land would automatically be designated for hunting, though Ms Moriarty said it would not create an automatic entitlement to hunting there.

Ms Moriarty said the Bill was not a return of the Game Council – shuttered in 2013 – and that key rights and regulations would remain within the government.

Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said local land services and other land managers were currently “spending millions” to deal with feral species.

“This is incredibly important. We need to protect diversity. We need to protect conservation areas, communities and neighbouring primary production,” she said.

In 2023-24, the National Park Service removed more than 55,000 animals through aerial shooting, mustering, ground shooting and trapping, Ms Sharpe said.

Some 24,000 hunters are licensed in NSW, and the Bill proposes giving them access to a new conservation hunting licence.

With oversight from a new conservation hunting authority, it also seeks to open up hunting in private and declared public lands, excluding national park.

The Bill was not opposed by the Opposition – again, with amendments.

Nationals MLC Sarah Mitchell described the Bill as a “reforming of the former Game Council under another name”.

She noted it would ensure regulatory compliance “which was one of the major issues with the Game Council”.

“It will be maintained within the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, which is something that we think is very important,” she said.

The Bill does not specifically mention bounty killings and instead paves the way for their introduction following an administrative process.

Ms Mitchell said the issues of bounties was an important one, but that the government had been “reluctant” to introduce them.

Also describing the Bill as a return of the Game Council, Greens MLC Sue Higginson said it was a “Labor zombie”.

“A reminder of morally deficient political mistakes of more than 20 years ago,” Ms Higginson.

“What we are seeing is the reconstitution of the former Game Council of NSW, a statutory body abolished in disgrace in 2013 following a devastating independent review.”

Ms Higginson described the Bill as a “political tradeoff” and a “transactional arrangement” designed to shore up support.

The Greens have argued using hunters for controlling invasive species has no “scientific backing” and that the Bill would set the state backward.

Animal Justice Party MLC Emma Hurst told the Council “recreational hunting is not about conservation” and that she had received threats over her views.

She said she had received messages including “Can someone kill you?” and “This c**t needs a bullet”.

“This Bill is a betrayal of animals, of public trust and of the values the NSW government was elected to uphold,” Ms Hurst said.

Labor, the Liberals and the Greens opposed provisions surrounding the use of silencers, as well as the designation of a Minister for Hunting and Fishing.

The bill has stirred controversy since Premier Chris Minns first floated the idea of introducing bounty killings for feral animals.

The Invasive Species Council called on the NSW government to not support the Bill on Wednesday morning.

Chief executive Jack Gough said the Bill would in effect bring back the “disgraced” former NSW Game Council, which was dissolved in 2013.

“Recreational hunting is not conservation,” he said.

“It rarely delivers environmental benefits, and in many cases actively obstructs professional control programs.

“You don’t reduce invasive species by doing a bit of weekend pig shooting.

“You need coordinated, expert-led programs like aerial shooting, baiting and trapping – the kind of methods the Shooters Party oppose.”

Mr Gough said the Bill would increase the influence of hunters over the management of state forests and Crown land.

Debate on the Bill will resume later this month.