The Australia Institute submission strongly opposes a plan to amend the Game and Feral Animal Control Act (2002) to allow hunting on crown land and in state forests.
The submission notes the "right to hunt" is contrary to the spirit of the National Firearms Agreement - to which NSW is a signatory.
It found that the proposed changes would discourage bushwalkers and campers from enjoying the outdoors.
It adds that the proposed laws would not constitute a "cohesive and coordinated conservation effort" and could, in fact, backfire … leading to a growth in invasive species populations.
The Australia Institute submission also raises concerns that the authority which would be set up to manage hunting permits could be infiltrated by extremist groups.
"This would be a huge step backwards for gun control, regional economies and invasive species management," said Alice Grundy, Research Manager at The Australia Institute and co-author of the submission.
"Enshrining a so-called 'right to hunt' on public land represents an erosion of the position all Australian governments have agreed to for 29 years: that the use of firearms is a privilege conditional on public safety.
"The proposed expansion of hunting brings little potential economic benefit, while threatening existing activities such as bushwalking and camping."
