Here is what your MPs have been up to in Parliament recently.
Kiama By-Election
For the first time, the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party contested the seat of Kiama, just south of Wollongong. Kiama is a unique electorate with its mix of semi-urban and regional communities, and our candidate Felix Nelson rose to the challenge with an outstanding effort.
As counting continues, we are holding just over 5% of the total primary formal vote - a fantastic result for our very first campaign in this coastal regional seat. This is a strong foundation to build on, and we couldn't be prouder. A huge thank you goes to Felix for his dedication, hard work, and commitment throughout the campaign.
Meanwhile, the return of our much-anticipated Conservation Hunting Bill was briefly put on hold due to the by-election, but we'll be back on the case very soon. In the meantime, here's a snapshot of what we've been up to over the past fortnight.
Parkes Is Not Sydney's Dumping Ground: Borsak Slams Toxic Incinerator Plan
Robert Borsak has gone hard against the proposed Parkes Energy Recovery Facility, warning it would turn one of NSW's proudest agricultural regions into Sydney's dumping ground. He exposed the dangers of PFAS, dioxins and furans, chemicals that do not break down and risk contaminating soil, water, crops and livestock, putting families' health on the line for generations. Within 20 kilometres sits a school, yet children are expected to grow up in the shadow of a toxic waste stack. Borsak also highlighted how the incinerator would slash property values, destroy the reputation of local farmers' world-class produce, and clog rail lines already struggling to move grain and freight. He demanded answers from the local Independent MP, who has so far been silent, calling on him to stop hiding and fight for his community. Our position is Parkes is not a dumping ground for Sydney's waste, and the people of the Central West deserve better.
No Room for Waste: Push to Get Wild Venison onto Plates, Not Left to Rot
In Question Time, Robert pressed the Agriculture Minister on why licensed conservation hunters are prevented from donating fresh, premium wild-shot venison to charities and food banks. He argued that it is wrong to let invasive deer go to waste when families are doing it tough, pointing out that similar donation schemes already exist in New Zealand, the UK, the USA and across the EU. The Minister acknowledged the issue, citing food safety and processing laws as barriers, but agreed there should be no tolerance for food waste and committed to exploring practical solutions. New South Wales should be finding safe, sensible pathways to put wild-harvested venison on the plates of those who need it most, not leaving it to rot in the bush.
Conservation Hunting: A Global Best Practice, Not an Anomaly
Robert has set the record straight on conservation hunting, making clear that it is not an anomaly but an international best practice. Speaking in Parliament, he outlined how regulated hunters are central to conservation across the globe, from Germany's quota-driven forest management, to Sweden's balance between moose control and predator protection, to the North American Model that restored deer, turkey and bison from the brink. He highlighted South Africa's recovery of the white rhino, funded through hunting, and New Zealand's hunter-led Fiordland Wapiti and Sika foundations, which combine deer control with predator management to protect native birds. Borsak argued that Australia must follow suit, using conservation hunting as part of a wider strategy to manage feral pests like pigs, deer, foxes, cats, dogs and goats that threaten biodiversity and food production. Far from being fringe, conservation hunting is a proven, science-backed tool that empowers communities, supports ecosystems, and brings Australia into line with global best practice.
Borsak Demands Proof: Are Taxpayer-Funded Culls Effective and Humane?
During Question Time, Robert Borsak pressed the Minister for Agriculture on the lack of transparency around aerial culling operations. He highlighted that both the Conservation Hunting Bill inquiry and Budget Estimates exposed a dearth of reliable data on how many animals are shot, where they are shot, and how many shots are needed, raising questions about whether these taxpayer-funded programs are humane or effective. Mr Borsak called for the fitting of GPS-verified video cameras on helicopters and firearms, with independent scrutiny of the footage. While the Minister admitted such technology is not currently used, she said she was open to exploring the idea with Local Land Services. In follow-up questioning on costings, the Minister conceded no work had been done to price this technology but again noted she would seek advice on its feasibility.
Standing with Timber Communities Against Labor's Reckless Koala Park Plan
In Parliament over the past two weeks, Mark Banasiak has been leading the charge against Labor's reckless announcement of the Great Koala National Park made on Father's Day. Through speeches and Notices of Motion, we've made it clear that this announcement is not about conservation, it's politics at the expense of regional livelihoods. We've highlighted how this decision will gut family-owned timber businesses, throw multi-generational workers on the scrapheap, and erode the fabric of whole towns. Our contributions in the chamber have exposed the Government's failure to release proper costings, its ignorance of the bushfire and biosecurity risks created by mismanaged parks to appease city activists.
Mark's speeches and motions are not just words on the record, they are a platform to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with timber workers, their families, and the communities they sustain. By forcing these issues onto the parliamentary agenda, we are ensuring the voices of regional NSW cannot be ignored, and that the Government is held accountable for betraying the people it has left behind.
You can watch these videos here:
Backing NSW Farmers: https://youtu.be/3WCR_s5A8Rc
Show us the data we know exists: https://youtu.be/exHymCj9Z3s
Great Koala National Park: Politics, Carbon Scams & Timber Jobs Betrayed: https://youtu.be/68ILaUnb-Jg
Banasiak Demands Fair, Transparent Water Rules for Farmers
Mark has been standing up for fairness and common sense in water management. During debate on the Water Management Legislation Amendment (Stronger Enforcement and Penalties) Bill 2025, he called out the regulator for stonewalling irrigators and refusing to explain how penalties are calculated, demanding transparency instead of "black box" rules. Mark made it clear that while water theft is unacceptable, farmers should not be punished twice for the same alleged offence, or left living under a cloud of uncertainty for six years. He argued for practical, targeted amendments, shortening penalty timeframes, stopping double-dipping prosecutions, and ensuring penalties reflect serious wrongdoing, not paperwork errors or acts of God. Clear rules, transparent maths, and one fair pathway for enforcement. That is how you protect water, communities, and livelihoods.
Banasiak Backs Trial Shark Fishery to Protect Coastal Communities
Mark Banasiak has once again pushed for common-sense shark management, calling for a tightly controlled trial fishery for great white sharks to better protect coastal communities. Speaking in Parliament, he highlighted how current laws are decades out of date, relying on blanket bans imposed without proper science or population data. His proposal is not a free-for-all, but a surgical, rules-driven trial in known hotspots during peak risk periods, with strict compliance, low catch limits, transparent reporting and a sunset review. Families deserve better than outdated laws. Fishers should be treated as partners in science and safety, not scapegoats. A trial fishery, alongside drones, patrols and drumlines, is about reducing risk, protecting lives and supporting coastal towns.
Thank you for your continued support!
