O'Farrell madness: Kids in parks with guns

AWU: Friday 15th February 2013

Children as young as 12 will be allowed to go hunting with bows and arrows and guns inside NSW National Parks under Barry O’Farrell’s latest mad proposal to appease the Shooters and Fishers Party.

The NSW Game Council revealed the “kids with guns” policy in a meeting with The Australian Workers’ Union earlier this week to discuss the implementation of the State Government's plans to allow hunting in National Parks.

AWU NSW State Secretary Russ Collison today said any sensible person would be horrified by the thought of young children being encouraged to use deadly weapons in a public place.

“This is a reckless and dangerous decision that will send a shiver down the spine of everyone who works in or visits NSW National Parks.

“You wouldn’t let a child loose with a gun inside a shopping centre, so why would you let them go shooting in a public park?

“This is not about controlling feral animals, it’s about giving the Shooters and Fishers Party whatever they want so Barry O’Farrell can get his legislation passed through the Upper House.

“It’s a grubby deal, it stinks, and quite frankly it’s going to put lives at risk.”

Not about feral animals
Mr Collison said feral animals should be controlled by trained professionals, using methods that did not put park workers or the public at risk.

“Families should be able to enjoy a walk or a picnic in a NSW National Park without having to worry about being shot or wounded by an arrow.”

Black-powder firearms
Mr Collison said the Game Council also advised that black powder firearms would be permitted in National Parks.

“This means that hunters will be wandering around National Parks with old-fashioned pistols and replica vintage firearms.  Presumably they’ll be wearing Davey Crocket hats as well.

“It would almost be comical if it wasn’t deadly serious.

“The O’Farrell Government has completely lost the plot, and it’s time for a little bit of common sense.”