Issue link: http://ssaansw.uberflip.com/i/163623
Meet Karl Houseman With the Federal Election only days away, most of the Campaign attention has once again focused on the two leaders and individual contests from around the State. But for many the real interest is focused squarely on the Upper House where more than 50 parties will contest the Election. One of those is the Shooters and Fishers Party who will contest the Upper House ballot in every Australian State. Leading the ticket for the Shooters and Fishers Party in NSW is Karl Houseman. "Shooting and hunting have been very kind to me," Karl says. "I've been lucky to hunt all over Australia. From buffalo in Arnhem Land to deer in the Victorian high country and pigs in Western NSW. I love all types of hunting because each type has a different style and challenges to face. It's a great way to see Australia, fill the freezer and all the while we are helping the environment by reducing the number of feral animals." Karl took his first shot while with Scouts shooting rimfire at Hornsby Rifle Range. Although he found the sport fun and challenging, it wasn't until several years later when, aged 21, Karl and a friend decided to give it another go. "Both of us spent a lot of time in the bush as young blokes. We went out that afternoon and started reading the firearms safety book." Although primarily a hunter, Karl also shoots Service Match and Big Game Rifle and is a keen fisherman. Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. Currently heading up IT for a major national company, if elected Karl will be trading the desk for a seat in the Australian Senate. When asked why, Karl answers "because freedom isn't free and if we don't actively fight for our rights, we'll lose them. I'm not the kind of bloke to take a back seat and say that's a job for someone else. I'm passionate about shooting, hunting and fishing and I want to put in the hard yards to ensure we can continue to enjoy it into the future." Already with two Upper House MPs controlling the balance of power in NSW and another MLC recently elected to the West Australian Parliament, the Shooters and Fishers Party have come a long way in a relatively short space of time. Karl attributes this electoral success to an increased number of mums and dads wanting to build a relationship with the country, not just for themselves, but for their children. "Camping, four wheel driving, fishing and shooting are all legitimate past times in Australia and I think that more people are realising that if we want to maintain these traditions they need a powerful voice in Government." And Karl says that many non-traditional SFP supporters are seeing that they have a lot more in common with the Party and their beliefs than they would originally have thought. 4