In a blatant deal with the Shooters Party in the NSW Upper House, the O’Farrell government has moved to massively expand the amount of public land available to amateur recreational hunting in a move that sees NSW adopting an unwanted pro-gun culture, according to Greens NSW Firearms spokesperson David Shoebridge.

“This is a shameless capitulation to the Shooters Party and the pro-gun and hunting lobby in NSW, which the majority of NSW residents will be sickened by,” Mr Shoebridge said.

http://davidshoebridge.org.au/2012/05/30/ofarrell-caves-in-to-shooters-to-give-nsw-pro-gun-culture/

Since announcing his government's intention to sell the state's electricity generators, the Premier, Barry O'Farrell, has withstood a barrage of criticism from groups wanting him to extend his privatisation plans to the more lucrative poles and wires, or network businesses.

He has remained steadfast, arguing that to do so would represent a broken promise - something he could never contemplate.

His stubbornness might not have won him many friends in the business community, but it did cement in the minds of the public that O'Farrell was a man of his word whose promises could be banked. That trust has since become a cherished political asset.

But he and his closest advisers know the decision to deal with the Shooters and Fishers Party over the power legislation might have destroyed all that.

As has been well noted, the deal O'Farrell has done to get his electricity bill through Parliament - opening up 79 national parks and reserves to recreational hunters - has striking parallels with Julia Gillard's experience at the last federal election.

Both feature a government that was delivered a difficult Parliament by the electorate being forced to make a deal with a minor party to achieve a critical outcome.

In Gillard's case, it was a deal with the Greens to introduce the carbon tax in return for their support to form government.

For O'Farrell it is the bargain with the Shooters and Fishers that will deliver him the billions of dollars from electricity privatisation to build the infrastructure that will keep the Coalition in power.

And O'Farrell, just like Gillard, knows he has broken a promise in doing so. The decision has also trashed the government's environmental credentials but it is the appearance of dishonesty that will worry O'Farrell the most.

Apart from undermining the value of his future promises, the impression that O'Farrell's word cannot be relied upon has given the Labor opposition its most potent weapon yet.

In truth, O'Farrell has only himself to blame. The guessing game over how he would deal with the upper house has been going ever since it became apparent in polling before last year's election that he could gain a working majority there. Those predictions held that while he would not win outright control of the Legislative Council, the government could secure passage of its legislation with support of the conservative MPs from the Shooters and Fishers and the Christian Democratic Party.

The predictions were proven accurate. But O'Farrell - perhaps flush with hubris because of the commanding majority he had just been delivered in the Legislative Assembly - wouldn't have a bar of it.

Questions from the Herald and other media about what deals he might be required to make to secure his legislative agenda were met with derision.

Not long after the election, O'Farrell's spokesman said the government ''won't be doing any deals with any of the minor parties or independents on our election commitments''.

He repeatedly ruled out granting the Shooters and Fishers Party the item on top of their list of demands: allowing recreational shooters into national parks to shoot feral animals.

His Environment Minister, Robyn Parker, even told Parliament last August that shooting in national parks was not government policy.

It's true O'Farrell was backed into a corner over his power privatisation bill and it can be argued that the end - $3 billion in infrastructure funds - justifies the means.

But it is just as true that the decision has left O'Farrell and his government with a big credibility problem, which Labor will fully exploit until the 2015 election. Regaining the trust of the electorate will be no easy matter.

O'Farrell Has Shot Himself In The Foot

The New South Wales Education Department has been condemned for abolishing a unit dedicated to providing drug prevention programs and advice.

Greg Prior, the deputy director-general of schools, has confirmed the drug education unit has been disbanded, along with six positions.

It is part of a new organisational restructure, and Mr Prior says the unit's functions will be taken on by other areas.

But one teacher who spoke to the ABC fears her students will get mixed up with drugs and alcohol. She says the unit did valuable work.

"I think in two years' time they'll see they've made a big mistake," she said.

"I think it's really short-sighted to take it away."

Greens MP John Kaye agrees.

"It may save a few positions. In the long-term it means more children will develop problems with drugs and alcohol," he said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-16/anger-as-nsw-drug-education-unit-abolished/4074448

''It's just astounding the Game Council is using taxpayers dollars to co-sponsor a pro-hunting event with weapons manufacturers,'' Mr Shoebridge said. ''This state government has no limits on how far it will go in promoting a pro-gun culture, including joining with death merchants to plug guns and hunting.''NSW has run down hospitals, broken public transport and thousands of public servants being sacked, but the O'Farrell government still has the cash to promote gun ownership and hunting.''
A farmer from Barrington Tops, Andrew, who did not wish to have his surname identified, was at Shot Expo to look for a first rifle for his son Josh, 18.He owns five rifles, has hunted in national parks in New Zealand and said he could understand why some people might object to the government sponsoring the event.
''I can imagine why they feel they need to sponsor an event like this when its the party [the Shooters] that helps them get their laws through Parliament,'' he said of the government's involvement.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/ofarrell-under-fire-as-gun-lobby-grows-20120616-20gq4.html#ixzz1y1wAWZld

The New South Wales Government has announced that Sydney will play host to the world's leading forum on the conservation and protection of national parks.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature's World Parks Congress is held only once every 10 years.

In 2014, around 3,000 visitors are expected to come to Sydney for the event.

Environment Minister Robyn Parker says it is a major coup for the city.

"It'll give us the chance to showcase our stunning national parks right across NSW and inject at least 25 million dollars into our economy," she said.

Opposition environment spokesman Luke Foley says while he welcomes the news, he hopes the Government will listen to the experts and reverse its recent decision to allow hunting in national parks.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-17/sydney-to-host-international-conservation-forum/4075214

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ALMOST 40 per cent of NSW's national parks, including several containing World Heritage areas, are on the list provided by the Premier, Barry O'Farrell, as being under consideration for feral animal hunting, and green groups fear more will be added.

Mr O'Farrell supplied a list of 79 parks, conservation areas and nature reserves under consideration for volunteer pest control when he announced the deal with the Shooters and Fishers Party on May 30, stating the parks comprised ''around 10 per cent'' of the state's 799 parks and reserves.

Legislation by the Shooters and Fishers Party allowing licensed recreational hunters to shoot feral animals in national parks is expected to be voted into law this week. Park rangers are maintaining they will not help with any recreational hunting activity.

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/ofarrells-10-of-parks-for-hunting-is-40-of-total-area-20120617-20ici.html

An urgent amendment to legislation to allow hunting in national parks is being proposed after it was revealed today's bill would allow amateur hunters access to the type of high-powered semi-automatic weapons banned for general use after the Port Arthur massacre.

The bill being debated in the NSW upper house today makes changes to the Firearms Act to allow hunters to use self-loading rifles and pump-action shotguns to shoot feral animals on Crown land and "non-rural land" such as tips and parks with the permission of local councils.

The weapons are classified as Category D firearms, which were banned for general use after Martin Bryant killed 35 people at Port Arthur in Tasmania in 1996.

Presently they may only be used by professional shooters. But a government spokesman confirmed the bill, put forward by the Shooters and Fishers Party, would mean they would also be available to amateur shooters licensed by councils to carry out pest control.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/gun-fear-sparks-change-to-hunting-law-20120620-20nf0.html#ixzz1yJTyODYF

Anyone who has travelled north of the Hawksbury River or South of Stanwell Top would have noticed an increase in the number of "ferals", and I don't mean animals... The intellects sometimes appear to be subzero... These ferals often drive huge four wheel drives with five million candles lighting sets ... and guns... and beer...

THE Shooters and Fishers Party has claimed national parks will be opened for hunting shortly after Christmas and shooters will be able to operate without close supervision, despite assurances by the government they will be strictly monitored.

But the claims have been rejected by the state government, in the latest disagreement over how the policy will be implemented.

The government has agreed to open 79 national parks and reserves for recreational hunting of feral animals for the first time as part of a deal to win Shooters and Fishers Party support for its electricity privatisation legislation, which was passed last month.

Shortly after the announcement of the plan, the Premier, Barry O'Farrell, told Parliament hunters would be subjected to strict conditions.

''In a sense it is akin to what takes place with hazard burning carried out near to those who live in metropolitan areas that border national parks,'' he said.
''Once or twice a year, even less frequently sometimes, hazard burning takes place for limited periods and it is scientifically designed, well-managed, properly resourced and carried out under strict supervision.''

But in response to concerns raised by its members, the Shooters and Fishers Party has posted a series of questions and answers on its website to address what it terms ''incorrect information'' by the Greens, the National Parks Association and ''others''.

The party advises its members: ''It will be as it is in state forests. National parks will not be closed and there will be no close supervision by NP staff.''

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/shooters-party-calls-shots-on-how-parks-will-handle-hunting-20120708-21pi7.html#ixzz205oCpfbk
see toon at top...

He has been in trouble before and been a bit cheeky to the police, but no more than many other people have been 

Leaked documents show the New South Wales Government has been warned by its one of own departments that there is a high risk of someone being killed when amateur hunters are allowed into national parks next year.

The Opposition has obtained a 60-page draft risk assessment by the Office of Environment cataloguing the dangers of letting amateur hunters cull feral animals.

It warns the risk of park staff, visitors or other hunters being killed or seriously injured by arrows or bullets is high.

It also finds rotting carcasses left behind could contaminate drinking water and attract feral predators like wild pigs, dogs and foxes.

Labor's environment spokesman Luke Foley says it is a damning assessment that should force the Government to abandon the policy, but he fears it will be ignored.

"I fear that for Mr O'Farrell his dirty deals with the Shooters Party in the State Upper House will trump any responsibility he feels for protecting the safety of the people of New South Wales," he said.

Mr Foley says some of the risks can be reduced but they are impossible to eliminate, and says the Government cannot continue to argue the policy is safe.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-23/leaked-report-highlights-deadly-hunting-risk/4441652?WT.svl=news2

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Leaked documents show New South Wales park rangers will have to wear high-visibility clothing to ensure they do not accidentally get shot when hunting commences in National Parks.

The State Opposition has obtained the latest draft version of the risk assessment being prepared by the Office of Environment and Heritage.

It shows that hunters will be unsupervised in around 63 per cent of the total land being opened up.

Labor's environment spokesman Luke Foley says the document shows a potentially dangerous situation for National Park staff.

"That's not a responsible course of action," he said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-25/fluoro-vests-to-protect-rangers-from-hunters/4538330

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HUNTERS would be allowed to use silencers on their guns while shooting feral animals in national parks to minimise the disturbance to other users under plans being developed by the state government.
The proposal, part of a leaked draft risk assessment report, would require a significant loosening of the prohibition on the use of silencers in NSW, which is designed to prevent them falling into criminal hands.
But the revelation has drawn strong opposition from the Police Minister, Mike Gallacher, who was not consulted about the plan and says he does not want existing restrictions to change.
Justin McKee, the campaign co-ordinator with the National Parks Association of NSW, said silencers were a safety risk because they removed people's awareness that hunting was taking place nearby. ''If people can't hear it, they don't know it's going on,'' he said.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/hunters-have-silencers-in-sights-20130225-2f238.html#ixzz2LwvBsBuJ

Quietwood national park to be not so quiet, for your safety... You will be able to know when you are being shot at... See toon at top...

The introduction of hunting in national parks will be delayed until at least June after an investigation found evidence of alleged illegal activity by a senior executive of the Game Council NSW, the taxpayer-funded body which is supposed to oversee the program.

Premier Barry O'Farrell told Parliament on Thursday afternoon he had ordered a review of the governance of the Game Council, which regulates hunting in NSW.

Mr O'Farrell said hunting in national parks would not begin until the government had received the review, which is due by May 31.

Mr O'Farrell said the review was prompted by the report of an investigation into alleged illegal hunting by two Game Council employees on a property in outback NSW.

In January it was revealed that two Game Council employees, Andy Mallen and Greg McFarland, were being investigated by police over claims they strayed across a national park and on to private property in a council vehicle and killed a goat.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/government-halts-hunting-in-national-parks-20130228-2f882.html#ixzz2MArHK5qN

In a press release, Levy points out:

Media crews cover war zones but are banned from Victoria’s wetlands for safety reasons – could recreational duck shooters really be considered more dangerous than the Taliban?

Yes. In some instances.

New laws introduced by the Victorian Government will attempt to prevent duck rescuers, journalists, photographers and camera crews from going closer than 25 metres to the water’s edge during the 2013 duck shooting season.

…The Victorian government seems to go to extraordinary lengths to protect the dwindling numbers of Victorian duck shooters who make up only 0.4 per cent of the state’s population.

http://www.independentaustralia.net/2013/politics/victorian-government-bans-media-from-duck-season/

See duck at top...

Major environmental cases in NSW will no longer qualify for Legal Aid funding following cuts to the service by the O'Farrell government.
As of July 1, Legal Aid support won't be available for environmental cases that are found to be in the public interest, including major forestry, mining or pollution breaches.
Jeff Smith, executive director of Environmental Defence Office NSW, said a pillar of environmental justice was being torn down after 27 years.
"There is little point in opening the doors to the courts if people cannot afford to come in," he said.

Legal Aid was used to save vital forests in the early 1990s by enabling a number of legal cases that tested forestry practices and environmental impact assessments.
More recently, Mr Smith said it had helped to achieve better environmental outcomes for coal-affected communities.
"Legal Aid has been crucial to keeping accountability and transparency in the environmental and planning system, holding decision-makers to account and ensuring the system works as it should."
Opposition environment spokesman Luke Foley said the move was the latest in a long line of attacks on the environment under the O'Farrell government.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/environment-cases-wont-get-legal-aid-20130630-2p593.html#ixzz2Xh9Qp5pY

Oh Bazza, oh Bazza... preparing ground zero for your mate Abbott?...

Hunting on NSW public land will be banned for at least the next two months and the Game Council will be disbanded after a review into the council.

But the State Government will go ahead with its plan to allow volunteer hunters in national parts as part of a pest control program.

A highly critical report into the governance of the Game Council found its position as regulator, promoter and operator of hunting activities in NSW was inherently conflicted, says Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson.

The review was ordered after the council's acting chief executive, Greg McFarland, and a volunteer were charged with illegal hunting and trespass.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-04/game-council-disbanded-but-volunteer-hunting-to-go-ahead/4800098