	Updated: October 23, 2009
Regions: New South Wales

Hunters: our parks and animals are not fair game

Start: Oct 27, 2009 01:00 PM

End: Oct 27, 2009 02:00 PM

The Wilderness Society is extremely concerned by current threats facing our National Parks, with a proposal to open them up to recreational shooting and to establish game reserves being introduced into the NSW Parliament.

The Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002 Amendment Bill 2009 was first introduced by the Shooters Party in June, but negotiations appear to be continuing within Government.

This proposal will not address the issue of the control of feral animals within National Parks, and poses a threat to animal welfare and the existing users of the parks.

The Parks and Native Animal Protection (PANAP) coalition is opposing the Shooters Party proposed amendments to the Game Bill that allows:

a)    hunting in National Parks
b)    the establishment of private game parks
c)    the hunting of native animal and birds
d)    the release or relocation of introduced birds

Our National Parks are also facing the threat of commercialisation, with private developers currently seeking the right to develop within our parks, putting at risk the conservation of these protected areas.

We must ensure the protection of our parks from recreational shooting and commercialisation. Help us to send a message to the NSW Government by attending a public event on this issue.