Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party (SFFP) NSW leader Robert Borsak has formally responded to criticism of the Game and Feral Animal Legislation Amendment (Conservation Hunting) Bill 2025, via a media release issued on Wednesday.
Among other things, the Conservation Hunting Bill he recently tabled would enshrine a “right to hunt” in NSW law, establish a Conservation Hunting Authority, make an additional 50,000ha of land available for declared hunting, legalise sound moderators (suppressors) for hunting, establish bounties on feral pest animals and recognise the role of hunters in conservation.
Allanah & Madeleine Foundation co-founder Walter Mikac, who lost his wife and two daughters in the Port Arthur massacre, has been quoted in a number of media reports from outlets — including The Guardian and the ABC — opposing the Conservation Hunting Bill, including describing the bill as “a wishlist for the gun lobby and a weakening of the laws”.
The Conservation Hunting Bill makes no changes to NSW’s firearms laws, except potentially allowing licensed hunters to use a sound moderator (suppressor) while hunting. There are no changes to the licensing system or requirements, the requirements to obtain a Permit to Acquire for each firearm, or the secure storage requirements.
Mr Borsak described criticism of the bill, particularly from Mr Mikac and gun control advocate Stephen Bendle, as “misplaced”, while taking pains to put on record his respect for Mr Mikac and his work on issues relating to grief, trauma and recovery, pointing out he is “rightly regarded as an advocate in that field”.
“However, with equal respect, I must point out that Mr Mikac is not an expert in firearms legislation, firearms use, pest management pest management, or conservation hunting,” Mr Borsak said.
“His opposition to the Conservation Hunting Bill is therefore difficult to reconcile with the evidence and facts before us.”
He explained that hunting under the highly regulated R-licence system in NSW had been taking place on over 2 million hectares of state forest land in NSW since 2002.
“In that time, there have been zero fatalities or injuries associated with licensed hunters undertaking their activities on declared public lands,” he said.
“This is an unparalleled safety record for any outdoor activity in NSW.”
Australian Gun Safety Alliance (AGSA) convenor Stephen Bendle has also been a vocal critic of the bill, calling it “the most regressive firearm legislation introduced into any Australian parliament for over 30 years” and claiming, “this bill is not about environmental stewardship. It is about enabling more people to use more guns more often”.
Mr Borsak said the AGSA convenor had demonstrated “little knowledge of hunting practice or game management” in a recent appearance at the Conservation Hunting Bill Inquiry in NSW.
Mr Borsak further pointed out Mr Bendle had seemingly remained silent on Victoria’s recent plans to add 320,000ha to its licensed deer hunting lands – considerably less than the 50,000ha increase proposed for NSW under the bill.
“This bill is about responsible pest animal management, conservation outcomes, and maintaining safe, regulated hunting access for those who meet the highest standards of compliance and training,” Mr Borsak said.
“It deserves to be assessed on the evidence — not through emotional appeals or inconsistent advocacy.”
0 Comments