Tell Labor: No corrupt Game Council 2.0

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To the Standing Committee on State Development,
Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission to the inquiry into the Game and Feral Animal Legislation Amendment (Conservation Hunting) Bill 2025.
I strongly oppose this bill and urge the Committee to recommend that it not proceed in its current form. I make the following objections and observations:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 300;" aria-level="1">Revival of a failed model The original Game Council was abolished in 2013 following a review that found political interference, governance failures, public safety risks and a lack of accountability. This bill recreates in large part that failed model under a new name. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 300;" aria-level="1">Gun lobby dominance The proposed Conservation Hunting Authority would be dominated by representatives of the recreational hunting lobby. It would exclude conservation organisations, scientists, and other stakeholders from decision-making roles. This is not consistent with evidence-based public policy or good governance. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 300;" aria-level="1">Mandate to promote hunting only The Authority’s functions are limited to promoting the benefits of hunting. This statutory bias prevents the Authority from evaluating or responding to scientific evidence that shows when or where hunting is harmful to the environment or public safety. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 300;" aria-level="1">Use of prohibited weapons The bill would permit the use of silencers and night vision equipment for hunting on public lands. These are otherwise prohibited weapons, and their use poses serious risks to public safety and animal welfare. Under no circumstances can this be permitted. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 300;" aria-level="1">Enshrining a “right to hunt” The bill proposes to recognise a “right to hunt” in NSW legislation. This is unprecedented and shifts recreational access to public lands away from public interest management and toward entitlement-based ideology. It is a dramatic and regressive step. It strikes at the very heart of Australia’s firearm safety framework. The National Firearms Agreement – signed by all states, including NSW – affirms that gun ownership is a privilege, not a right, and must always be subject to the overriding principle of public safety. This is also the primary objective of the NSW Firearms Act. Since the Port Arthur tragedy of 1996, nearly 90 per cent of Australians have supported the current firearm safety framework or want it tighter. This bill seeks to rewrite the fundamental tenet of firearm safety. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 300;" aria-level="1">Creation of a Minister for Hunting and Fishing The bill includes provisions that would enable the creation of a new Ministerial role. This undermines the existing integrated management of public lands, natural resources, and environmental protections. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 300;" aria-level="1">Scientific and ecological concerns There is no requirement in the bill to align the Authority’s actions with current ecological science, invasive species management best practice, or climate and biodiversity priorities. This would reduce the rigour and credibility of wildlife and land management programs in NSW. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 300;" aria-level="1">Poor legislative process This bill was introduced without adequate consultation with stakeholders including scientists, First Nations communities, conservation experts, land managers and public safety bodies. It appears to be the product of a political deal, not a public interest process. </li>
</ol>
In light of these concerns, I respectfully ask that the Committee:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 300;" aria-level="1">Recommend that the bill be rejected in full, or at minimum, that it be amended significantly to remove the above risks </li>
<li style="font-weight: 300;" aria-level="1">Ensure that a diverse and representative group of experts are invited to give evidence, including scientists, conservationists, gun safety advocates, environmental managers, First Nations representatives and the broader community </li>
<li style="font-weight: 300;" aria-level="1">Recognise the overwhelming public concern and ensure this is reflected in the Committee’s recommendations </li>
</ul>
Thank you for considering my submission.

Tell Labor: No corrupt Game Council 2.0

Thanks to an incredible show of public opposition, the Game and Feral Animal Legislation Amendment (Conservation Hunting) Bill 2025 has been referred to the Standing Committee on State Development for inquiry and report.

This referral is a people-powered win, and now we need to make sure the inquiry hears from you.

This bill would revive the disgraced Game Council under a new name, hand public lands to the gun lobby, and remove conservationists from decision-making. If passed, it would:

Enshrine a “right to hunt” in NSW law
Create a statutory authority that can only promote hunting, even where it harms the environment
Allow night shooting with silencers and other prohibited weapons
Stack the new Authority with gun lobby representatives
Prevent conservation organisations from holding decision-making power
Lay the groundwork for a new Minister for Hunting and Fishing

Many of you might remember, the original Game Council was abolished in 2013 after a scathing review found political interference, governance failures, and risks to public safety and biodiversity. This new bill repeats the same mistakes and adds more.

The Legislative Council committee is now accepting public submissions until 4 August 2025. We need to show that the public does not support backroom deals with the gun lobby. We must call for the full rejection of this dangerous and anti-scientific bill.

Make your formal submission to the inquiry now.

Your voice will become part of the official public record. Every submission counts, and the strength of public response can shape the recommendations of the inquiry.

After you submit, please also call:

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty
(02) 7225 6200

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig
(02) 7225 6300

Let them know you oppose this bill, and that NSW should not be making dirty deals with the gun lobby at the expense of our environment, safety, and integrity.

Tell Labor: No corrupt Game Council 2.0

SEND AN EMAIL

Tell Labor: No corrupt Game Council 2.0

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