SSAA NSW

Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. 13 shooters purchase fuel, 4WD accessories, food, drinks, camping gear, fi rearms and accessories etc. in support of their activities. Importantly, most of these activities and consumption are conducted whilst visiting the beautiful parts of regional NSW. 4. What does your party understand as the benefi ts of "conservation and wildlife management" and does your party see a role for law abiding fi rearms owners as a valuable tool in pest animal management? The Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party see law abiding fi rearm owners as best placed to assist and help with pest and feral animal management - usually at no cost to the taxpayer. Law abiding fi rearm owners care about the environment they are shooting or hunting in. Most have developed lifelong relationships and friendships with rural property owners and farmers whom they assist in controlling pest and feral animals. They play an integral part in Conservation Hunting programs on public land in NSW also. Law abiding fi rearm owners will have a huge and continuing role to play in pest and feral animal management and control for generations to come. • David Leyonhjelm 1. How would your party support funding to expand shooting ranges and increase participation in shooting sports? The Liberal Democrats have a proven history of sticking up for shooters and protecting the sport. One of the greatest achievements during Senator David Leyonhjelm's time in the federal parliament was securing a new lease for the ANZAC Rifl e Range at Malabar. The range was under grave threat of closure until Senator Leyonhjelm brokered a deal which secured the future of the shooting sports in the Sydney basin for the next 50 years. The Liberal Democrats believe that individuals and organisations are entitled to establish facilities to use fi rearms safely. This includes shooting ranges and hunting reserves. Our party strongly opposes the lock-the-gate attitude taken by many governments regarding national parks and ranges. The Liberal Democrats will always support the expansion of shooting ranges and improved access to national parks. 2. Would your party support an effective Firearms Consultative Committee that included SSAA NSW to assist the Government in developing legislation that is evidence based, supports law abiding fi rearm owners, is in the public interest and targets the criminal use of fi rearms? The Liberal Democrats believe in listening to the people. Senator Leyonhjelm was instrumental in ensuring that a fi rearms consultation group was re-established at the federal level, meeting with the Minister. He also made sure the SSAA was included as a key stakeholder. All too often it is uninformed bureaucrats who make decisions that affect responsible fi rearm owners. Consultation with end-users and industry groups is a vital part of democracy. The Liberal Democrats wholly support a Firearms Consultative Committee. 3. What do you see as the contribution of the combined shooting sports to NSW. If you see a value, how can your party assist to support this important part of the economy? There is no question that NSW's 235,000-plus licensed fi rearm owners are major contributors to the economy. NSW DPI Hunting estimates hunters spent $1.54 billion on hunting related activities and products in 2017-18 alone, much of it in regional areas. The department estimates the total economic contribution of hunting to NSW is more than $1.8 billion. The Liberal Democrats aim to secure the future of this important part of the economy in two ways. First, by ensuring that fi rearms for sport, hunting, collecting and self-defence are all legitimate reasons for ownership as well as essential to a free society. Second, by doing everything possible to ensure that shooters have a place to shoot. 4. What does your party understand as the benefi ts of "conservation and wildlife management" and does your party see a role for law abiding fi rearms owners as a valuable tool in pest animal management? The Liberal Democrats recognises and respects the role that hunters play in positive conservation and environmental outcomes, whether as volunteers or professionals. Hunters help control pest animals that cause enormous destruction of Australian native fauna, fl ora and agriculture.

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