Recent concerns raised by advocacy groups regarding the NSW Hunting Bill do not fully reflect the practical intent and safeguards outlined in the proposed legislation.
Advocacy groups have incorrectly asserted that this bill will “blatantly contravene” the National Firearms Agreement (NFA).
It is important to note that nothing in the proposed bill contravenes the NFA.
Other misleading parts of the statement include that the Bill will enshrine “a right to hunt” in direct contradiction to the NFA, which is fundamentally incorrect.
In fact, hunting is recognised as a genuine reason to own a firearm under the NFA that has been committed to and heavily funded by the federal government.
These statements are unnecessarily alarming and devoid of awareness in relation to how hunting and associated conservation programs are administered.
Allowing hunters greater access to public land presents very little danger to the public. Hunters already have access to public land in NSW and around Australia, including in National Parks in several states, with a highly commendable safety record.
Hunting also plays a valuable role in the management of feral and game species around Australia and makes a critical contribution to protecting endangered species and habitats. Hunters eradicate more feral animals than government programs and they support rural communities with tourism dollars rather than costing millions of dollars in public spending.
An example of the environmental contribution by hunters was highlighted in a recent citizen science project conducted in partnership with the University of Southern Queensland. This project estimated that hunters eliminated 5.3 million pigs in 2024 and by doing so, prevented the birth of a further 29 million. By contrast, an NSW government program spent $13 million eliminating just under 119,000 pigs.
There is very little reason for opposition to the NSW Hunting Bill, unless you are unaware or unprepared to understand the details, application and administration involved.