SSAA NSW

NSW Government Attacks Hunters SSAA members from around Australia, but particularly those in New South Wales, were recently left feeling betrayed by NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell and his Liberal/National Government. In a clear attack on the rights of law abiding, responsible and ethical hunters, Premier O'Farrell announced that he would disband the NSW Game Council and suspended all hunting on public lands. Hunters who have invested considerable time and resources into controlling feral pest populations in our State Forests, at no cost to the Government, are left wondering 'where to from here?' What we do know? While there is very little information at this stage, we do know that all hunting on public lands in NSW has been immediately suspended pending a risk assessment. What form this takes is at this stage unknown, however as soon as more information is available it will be posted on the SSAA NSW website. The Government have also announced that a trial of hunting in 12 National Parks will commence in October 2013. I can advise that members with a Restricted Game Hunting licence processed after 4 June 2013 will be eligible for a full refund and should visit www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au to obtain the Refund Request Form. For those members whose Restricted Game Hunting Licence was processed prior to 4 June 2013 the following information applies: • f access to State forests or Crown Lands is permitted I in the next six months, your NSW Restricted Game Hunting Licence will be extended for the equivalent time of the suspension. • f access to State forests or Crown Lands is not I permitted in the next six months you will be entitled to a pro-rata refund for the time you have been unable to use your licence. What are SSAA NSW doing? Since learning of the Premier's decision SSAA NSW have spoken on several occasions with our friends at the Shooters and Fishers Party who are planning a well organised and resourced campaign against these attacks on licensed hunters. SSAA NSW, along with other hunting organisations, will join together to fight these changes. Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. And even though the campaign is just starting, there are no shortage of hunters willing to put up their hand and telling me we can "count on their support". The Government's announcement took everyone by surprise, but members can be assured that plans are in place to stand behind our hunters and combat these attacks. What can members do today? The most important thing our members can do is let their own local MP know that they are not happy with the Premier's attack on licensed, law abiding hunters. Phone or write to your local MP asking for a meeting to discuss your concerns. You can use the SSAA NSW Action Centre on our website to find the contact details for your local MP as well as the number of firearms licences and SSAA memberships in their electorate. You will also find important information that can be included to highlight the enormous value of conservation hunting in NSW. Premier O'Farrell … This is your wakeup call Rather than this being the end of access to public lands in NSW, this should be a wakeup call to the NSW Government to appropriately fund and manage hunting in New South Wales and SSAA NSW will be a part of the Shooters and Fishers Party campaign along with other hunting organisations to ensure this Government recognises the valuable role of hunters in protecting our public land from feral pests. Rally to Save Hunting on Public Land 14 August 2013 Meeting at Hyde Park near Archibald Fountain 11:30 – 13:00 Please wear an item of Blaze Orange For more information visit www.savehuntingonpublicland.org 6

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