Schools to debate hunting legitimacy

Two Sydney schools will argue whether hunting in national parks is vandalism or conservation, in a debate hosted by an anti-hunting group.

South Turramurra Environment Protection (STEP) has set up the debate, which they’ve called “Hunting in National Parks is Environmental Vandalism, Not Smart Conservation”, between Cheltenham Girls High School and Epping Boys High School.

“The chosen topic is very current given the imminent declaration of hunting areas by the state government due to start in December and large attendances at rallies around Sydney opposing hunting in national parks,” STEP says.

STEP says the debate is part of its schools education program, and the announcement comes days after anti-hunting groups expressed outrage that the NSW Game Council was distributing water bottles with a hunting safety message in rural NSW schools.

Members of the public are being encouraged to attend the debate, which will be held St Andrews Uniting Church, corner of Chisholm and Vernon St, South Turramurra, at 8pm on Tuesday, 9 October.