The Alannah & Madeline Foundation is deeply disappointed at the report from the Standing Committee on State Development into the Game and Feral Animal Legislation Amendment (Conservation Hunting) Bill 2025.
The government – led Committee received over 2,600 submissions and heard from over 20 witnesses, most of who provided strong evidence that this Bill is fundamentally flawed and poses unacceptable risks to public safety, conservation, and animal welfare.
The Committee didn't make a single recommendation about the contents of the Bill. Not about silencers, the right to hunt or even the $7.9 million budgeted for the new Hunting Authority.
"This Bill poses a direct threat to public safety," said Sarah Davies AM, CEO of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation. "Expanding access to firearms and weakening the safeguards that protect our communities would make Australians less safe. We call on the Premier and all members of Parliament to reject this Bill and put the safety of the public first."
Founder of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, Walter Mikac AM said: "Public safety is not negotiable. If this Bill passes, it will expose communities to greater risk. Our laws must continue to protect Australians from the dangers of gun violence, not open the door to more of it."
We call on Premier Chris Minns and all Members to stand firm for public safety and reject this Bill outright when it comes before Parliament. The safety of our communities must come before politics.
About us:
About the Alannah & Madeline Foundation The Alannah & Madeline Foundation was founded 28 years ago by Walter Mikac AM, and a small group of volunteers in memory of Walter's young daughters Alannah and Madeline, aged just six and three, who tragically lost their lives along with their mother and 32 others at Port Arthur in Tasmania on 28 April 1996. The Foundation was established with the belief that "all children and young people should be able to live a happy and safe life, free from violence and trauma." Our mission continues today through our Care, Prevention and Advocacy programs – we fight for their right to be safe, so their future is strong. www.alannahandmadeline.org.au
About the Australian Gun Safety Alliance The Australian Gun Safety Alliance is a broad coalition of voices representing the interests of the community to ensure we remain vigilant on gun safety. www.gunsafetyalliance.org.au
