As reported by The Courier-Mail, a Queensland parliamentary petition calling for regulated public land hunting of feral animals has been formally rejected by the State Government despite attracting more than 5,000 signatures.
The petition, titled “Legalise regulated public land hunting in Queensland”, sought to allow licensed hunters to assist in controlling feral animal populations on public land through a regulated permit system.
SSAA CEO Tom Kenyon told The Courier-Mail that he supported opening public land for private hunting in Queensland in line with NSW and Victoria but cautioned that it should not be viewed as a standalone solution.
“We would argue that private hunting is not a silver bullet; you’re not going to eradicate feral pests just with private hunting, but it is one of the tools, and it’s a tool that governments should embrace,” Mr Kenyon said.
There has also been support from Gun Hunters Association of Australia President Leigh Bernhardt, with Mr Bernhardt stating that appropriately trained and qualified hunters should be able to access public land under a regulated permit system, while stressing the importance of strong governance and training requirements.
Darling Downs cattle producer Peter Kelly has also voiced support for public land hunting, arguing existing government control programs were not adequately addressing feral animal numbers, particularly feral pigs.
In its formal response to the petition, Queensland Environment Minister Andrew Powell confirmed the Government would maintain its long-standing position against recreational hunting on public land.
The Minister said effective pest management requires a coordinated, landscape-scale approach across different land tenures and noted the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation works with neighbouring landholders, regional councils and natural resource management groups to coordinate control programs.
While ruling out recreational hunting on public land, the Minister acknowledged there may be opportunities for recreational hunters to assist with pest management on private land, particularly where coordinated control programs are being undertaken alongside adjacent public land.
The Queensland Government’s response means recreational public land hunting remains prohibited in the state, with private land continuing to provide the primary avenue for licensed hunters to assist with feral animal control.