[Greens-Media] GREENS MEDIA RELEASE: Greens welcome O’Farrell hunting back-down

[Mark Riboldi]

Greens welcome O’Farrell hunting back-down
Media Release – 4 July 2013

The Greens have welcomed today’s announcement by NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell that the Game Council has been abolished and hunting on public land has been completely suspended.

Greens NSW Environment spokesperson Dr Mehreen Faruqi said:

“Barry O’Farrell has listened to the strong voices in the community who have been shouting ‘no’ to the idea of amateur hunting on public land.

“The Greens welcome this decision as a victory for common sense and for all of the spirited grassroots campaigners who made their voices heard on this issue.

“Hunting on public land made no sense from the start. The government should not have considered it in the first place.

“The government’s own risk assessment showed that hunting in National Parks would put the safety of National Parks Rangers and the public at risk of ‘injury or death’.

“This decision confirms what the Greens have been saying for years - amateur hunting is not an effective form of feral animal control.

“Feral animal control should be done as effectively and humanely as possible, not by amateur hunters who are more interested in having something to hunt than removing pests.

“The Game Council has been shown to be incapable of effectively or humanely managing feral control.

“This common sense decision is a fabulous victory for the tireless community campaigners.

“The Greens will continue to work with the community to ensure amateur hunting on public land is stopped forever,” Dr Faruqi said.

Media contact: Mark Riboldi for Mehreen Faruqi 0433 753 376


Mark Riboldi
Communications & Policy
Greens NSW MP David Shoebridge
P: (02) 9230 3030 |Media: 0433 753 376 |T: @ShoebridgeMLC<http://twitter.com/#!/shoebridgemlc>
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