Belanglo State Forest Licensed Hunting

Mr IAN COHEN: I address my question to the Minister for Primary Industries. Can the Minister explain on what basis he is satisfied that hunting of game animals in the Belanglo State Forest does not adversely impact on public safety? How does he propose the Game Council will supervise whether game hunters are complying with the conditions of their licence if police and forest authorities refuse to attend to complaints of illegal firearm use in the forest? Can the Minister assure the House that he has complied with section 20 of the Game and Feral Animal Control Regulation and that written notice of the proposed declaration was given to the Moss Vale Rural Lands Protection Board?

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: The question continues the member's obsessive campaign in relation to the Game Council and the fact that over the last few years since the introduction of the Act we have had 13,000 hunting days in State forests and public land in New South Wales, which, incidentally, has seen the elimination of many thousands of feral animals that prey not only on animals within our forests but also upon neighbouring landholders' properties. One can see from the list that thousands of foxes have been killed, which is a great thing for the environment and for all the small marsupials that they target in the Australian environment.

The Hon. John Della Bosca: What about wombats?

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: I do not think they chase after wombats. However, the responsible hunters, with restricted licences to hunt in New South Wales State forests, have played a great conservation role. I would have thought the Greens would finally get around to the point of view that the conservation of Australian marsupials, particularly small marsupials, is subject to the food-gathering activities of introduced animals, such as foxes.

The Hon. Christine Robertson: What about quolls?

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: Quolls, the lot. I hope that at some stage the Greens will see the light on this issue. I hope they will see this as a very good culling activity that is ensuring we reduce the numbers of feral animals in our parks to levels that will mean our native animals can be relieved of the pressure that introduced animals have created. In relation to the specific claims, I will have a look at the Belanglo claim. I have heard a little about the issue. I am sure that the proper procedures have been followed in relation to the Act. The Game Council is an incredibly responsible organisation and it has carried out its activities with due diligence. I will report back to the House on the Belanglo aspect in the near future.