We didn’t mean this to turn into a series, but again this week we are highlighting the inconsistencies with which Chris Minns has treated firearms policy and legislation.
Last week we published an article comparing Chris Minns’ recent approach to medicinal cannabis and drug driving, and the week before, his attitude to domestic violence policy relative to his reaction to firearms post-Bondi.
The gist of both articles, as it is this week, is the difference between his more considered contemplative approach to policy in other areas of community safety, compared to his knee-jerk reaction to firearm regulation in December.
Many of you would have seen the awful story this week about a woman who was attacked by what was suspected to be a great white shark off the coast of Coogee, and the incredible people who pulled her to safety.
After initially stating that nothing was off the table in relation to reducing shark attacks, NSW Premier Chris Minns has rejected calls for shark culling, claiming he’s “not convinced” it would work.
Mr Minns told Sky News Australia “I’m not convinced that a culling or commercial fishing of great whites would make a difference” and “I’m concerned it will give false confidence”.
Previous research supports this. Including the experience from Hawaii in the 1960s and 1970s, where a cull of 4,668 tiger sharks resulted in no changes to the rate of shark bites but did have a significant impact on marine ecosystems.
This approach to community safety yet again begs the question – why is the Minns Government prepared to take a considered and methodical approach to a community safety matter such as shark attacks, but will rip and tear into policy that affects law abiding firearm owners at a frantic pace?
People in New South Wales deserve responsible policy-setting to protect the community in a consistent, thorough, and evidence-based manner, and those elected with this leadership need to do so with integrity.
Note – if you would like to support the victim of this shark attack, here is the Go Fund Me page to do so: Fundraiser by Joshua Stewart : Support Leah Stewart, victim of shark attack in Coogee