The controversial plan to allow shooting in New South Wales national parks is now unlikely to start next month as originally planned.
The possible delay follows an alleged illegal hunting incident involving one of the organisations chosen to administer the hunting program.
The NSW Game Council, which, along with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, will administer the new rules that will allow hunters into national parks and nature reserves to shoot foxes, goats, pigs, deer, cats, rabbits, hares and wild dogs. However, the Australian newspaper reports that the council’s acting boss, Greg McFarland, was suspended last month after it emerged he was being investigated over an illegal hunting incident near Cobar in central western NSW.
The newspaper reports that NSW Environment Minister, Robyn Parker – who announced in December that the new “pest control program” to allow hunting in 79 of the state’s national parks would commence in March — did not deny rumours that the start date for the program was being pushed back.
“I don’t make any apologies for taking the necessary time to ensure a thorough risk assessment process is completed in respect of each park,” Ms Parker told the Australian.
NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell announced the hunting program last May as part of a deal struck with the Shooters and Fishers Party to allow legislation privatising the state’s electricity generators to pass the upper house of parliament.
NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge, who opposes the hunting program, linked the delay to turmoil at the council.
“The Game Council is effectively an amateur organisation run by amateur hunters, so it is no wonder the government is having such difficulty in implementing the hunting proposal,” he told the Australian.
