DJW Comment: From a Public Policy point of view, this announcement has been a disaster for Barry O'Farrell.
It makes him look as deceitful and unreliable as the Press Hacks like to depict Julia Gillard.
For a Conservative leader, that is REALLY BAD GOING.
"It’s not surprising – though it’s said to have come as a shock even to Premier O’Farrell – that there’s been an immediate massive and vocal public backlash against the government’s deal with the Shooters and Fishers. And it’s one which, according to Kevin Evans, chief executive of the National Parks Association of NSW, has “swallowed up” the issue – power privatisation – that prompted the deal in the first place."
(Source Orange News Now 1 June 2012)
 |
| Wilcox cartoon - courtesy of SMH website |
My personal assessment is that it reeks of something which the Nationals (who
have always hated National Parks) have cooked up with the Shooters
Party, to suit their joint interests. And Barry, nice chap that he is,
has no idea of what he has been talked into.
He has just accepted what Andrew Stoner has told him will "work". Barry
O'Farrell spent his early career (from early 1980s to 1995 as a Liberal Party "back-room boy" and so my assessment is that he has been
outwitted by a more ruthless politician (someone supposedly on Barry's own side). That's the National Party for you.
One wonders who it was who drew up the specific lists of the Parks. Charcoal Tank Nature Reserve, just west from West Wyalong has had a 20 year bird banding study conducted there, and at no stage has any of the numerous bird banders ever seen any Pigs there. Several cats. No Pigs. Why on earth has that small Nature Reserve been listed for hunting?
O'Farrell rules out deals with Shooters
April 13, 2011 (last year, just after the Election - held on 25 March 2011).
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/ofarrell-rules-out-deals-with-shooters-20110413-1ddfw.html#ixzz1wdibPCVg
O'Farrell over a barrel as the Shooters take aim
 |
| Robert Borsak, your elected representative, with an Elephant he boasted of killing, on Safari in Africa. |
Sean Nicholls
April 13, 2011Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/ofarrell-over-a-barrel-as-the-shooters-take-aim-20110412-1dcpm.html#ixzz1weE3g0pf
Judge for yourself:
This is what the Shooters Party told the SMH in April last year, they wanted.
 |
| Shooters Party "Wish list" April 2011 |
Power deal opens parks to shooters
May 31, 2012
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/power-deal-opens-parks-to-shooters-20120530-1zjje.html#ixzz1wdlQy2cG
 |
| NSW National Parks and reserves where hunting has been approved |
What I first wrote on this topic, on my Blog.
http://peonyden.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/hunting-in-national-parks-will-you-be.html
Rangers slap work bans on National Park hunting
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-01/rangers-slap-work-bans-on-national-park-hunting/4046336
In the line of fire
01 Jun, 2012 04:00 AM
.
 |
| An Unofficial new Logo for NPWS? |
Newsmaker: Shooting for the big time
June 2, 2012
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/newsmaker-shooting-for-the-big-time-20120601-1zn1o.html#ixzz1wcAxR210
Advice warns of dangers of shooting in parks
June 2, 2012
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/advice-warns-of-dangers-of-shooting-in-parks-20120601-1zn63.html#ixzz1wcBBfZK0
Farmers hope hunting plan will curb feral animal problem
Rachel Olding, Emma Oberg
June 2, 2012Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/farmers-hope-hunting-plan-will-curb-feral-animal-problem-20120601-1zn68.html#ixzz1wcBMZFbQ
O'Farrell has shot himself in the foot
June 2, 2012
Opinion
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/ofarrell-has-shot-himself-in-the-foot-20120601-1zmw6.html#ixzz1wcBZAjU2
NSW rangers angry over hunting in parks
- From: AAP
- June 01, 2012
PARK rangers are refusing to help the NSW Government allow hunters into national parks.
The NSW Public Service Association (PSA) said it has asked its members not to help with any activity involved with establishing the hunting of feral animals.
Rangers will also withhold information and expert advice from Environment Minister Robyn Parker and other members of the Government.
PSA general secretary John Cahill said the new law will put the safety of parks staff at risk.
"Our park rangers should not have to work in fear for their own safety," Mr Cahill said in a statement.
 |
| No Hunting in our National Parks |
http://nohunting.wildwalks.com/
No Hunting in our National Parks
CYNICAL GOVERNMENT DEAL BOOSTS HUNTING IN NATURE PARKS
http://www.orangenewsnow.com.au/cynical-government-deal-boosts-hunting-in-nature-parks/
"To anyone who has any environmental concern and a desire to enjoy and protect our national parks, the O’Farrell state government has committed one of its most cynical acts since it came to power.
"It beggars belief, in fact – an added 79 national parks, nature reserves and conservation areas throughout NSW turned over to hunters with bows, shotguns and dogs in return for support by the most right-wing power brokers in State Parliament, the tiny Shooters and Fishers Party and Fred Nile’s Christian Democrats, for its sale of the state’s electricity generators.
"The deal, securing vital “balance of power” Senate votes which allow the revised legislation to go through both houses of parliament, brings our own Mount Canobolas and its state forest into the new gunsights, along with other formerly protected areas in the Central West and west."In fact it raises to 259 the number of Crown Land conservation and recreation areas throughout the state that are now open to gun-toting members of 140 AHOs – Approved Hunting Organisations – registered with the NSW Game Council."
2 comments:
Denis
The previous comments seem to have gone to the bit-bucket so here is their gist.
I had written to my State MP (Mr Barilaro, National Party, Monaro) expressing my objection to this insanity. I had also written to his predecessor Steve Whan, now a Labour MLC, making the same point and asking what the ALP was going to do to make the implementation of this less dangerous.
I'd basically urge all NSW readers to do do the same to their MPs and any MLCs they know.
You asked if you would be safe in your car. The answer must be "no" unless you are driving an IED proof Humvee these days. The sort of guns used to kill pigs, goats and deer are very high powered, They are the safety issue not bows and arrows or shotguns referred to by the journalist from Orange.
Of course safety isn't the only issue but since the Government obviously doesn't care about nature or the environment it may well be way to fight this obnoxious bit of Machiavellianism.
Martin
Spoke with a local Ranger today.
Interesting conversation.
He is fully "on-side", as one might expect.
Much of this is a long-standing antipathy against NPWS.
No surprises there.
Denis
Post a Comment