National Parks Association Media Release: Thousands of Signatures on Petition against Hunting
7th March 2013
MEDIA RELEASE
The National Parks Association of NSW has handed over thousands of signatures on its petition objecting to recreational hunting in NSW.
鈥淲hile the Minister for Environment leads a celebration of national parks around NSW during this
year鈥檚 鈥楶arks Week鈥, the future of national parks is facing irrevocable and destructive change. The Coalition鈥檚 鈥楽upplementary Pest Control Program鈥 threatens public safety and will cost us millions
and do more harm than good for the environment,鈥 says Kevin Evans, CEO of the National Parks
Association of NSW.
Luke Foley, Shadow Minister for the Environment (ALP), Cate Faehrmann, MLC for the Greens and Alex
Greenwhich, Member for Sydney (Independent) joined representatives of the Association outside
Parliament today in a short press conference to receive the petitions.
鈥淭he National Parks Association of NSW thanks the ALP, the Greens and Independent members of
parliament for their support on this campaign to protect the future use of our national parks. With
their support and the mammoth work going on in the community, we can put an end to the recreational
hunting program,鈥 says Mr Evans.
鈥淭here is no scientific evidence to support recreational hunting having any impact on pest animal
populations. This government should be investing large funds into strategic and integrated
professional program to see a long term decline in populations. Spending millions on the Shooters
and Fishers Party agenda will solve nothing,鈥 says Campaign Coordinator Justin McKee.
鈥淯nder Barry O鈥橣arrell鈥檚 leadership, the very essence of why we create, and how we enjoy our
beautiful national parks, has been compromised. Amateur, recreational hunting has no place in our
national parks.
鈥淭he Premier continues to remove our liberties on this issue by ignoring the call to reverse this
unpopular decision,鈥 concludes Mr McKee.
Media Contacts:
Kevin Evans, National Parks Association of NSW: 0457 797 977
Justin McKee, Campaign Coordinator, National Parks Association of NSW: 0404 824 020
