Here is what our members have been up to recently in NSW Parliament.
Conservation Hunting Bill Introduced
Robert introduced our much-anticipated Game and Feral Animal Legislation Amendment (Conservation Hunting) Bill 2025 on behalf of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.
The bill recognises conservation hunting as a legitimate cultural, environmental and economic activity. It proposes a new Conservation Hunting Licence, and establishes a dedicated Conservation Hunting Authority. It also backs bounty schemes for feral animals and promotes responsible hunting on Crown and forestry land.
This is a major step toward restoring balance in pest control and giving hunters a proper seat at the table.
Second Reading Speech: https://youtu.be/jVFL-U94jpQ
Illegal Tobacco Linked to Gun Crime
Back in May Robert questioned the Minister on how many illegal shootings there had been over the past year and which were related to the illegal tobacco trade. Click on the link below to see the question:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3V26EBpFHI
At the beginning of June NSW Police finally provided an answer to these questions saying the Minister had been advised that:
"Between 1 June 2024 to 30 May 2025, there were 45 shootings classified as linked to criminal conflict. Criminal conflict is defined as a dispute between individuals or groups linked to criminal activity. No shootings have been identified as being connected to illegal tobacco."
While the Minister would not deceive the public, it does beg the question on how police identify shootings related to the illegal tobacco trade, especially in the wake of what the media have described as a "turf war". Robert will continue to demand answers from NSW Police on what has become a critical problem. Robert will be chairing an inquiry into the illegal tobacco industry this month.
The War on Feral Cats Must Begin
Robert delivered a powerful call to action, highlighting the devastating impact feral cats have on our environment. Killing over 1.5 billion native animals every year, feral cats have become a national conservation crisis.
With current control methods falling short, the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party is calling for a feral cat bounty, a modest $15 incentive to support hunters and landholders in targeted control. Backed by education and oversight through the proposed Conservation Hunting Authority, this practical approach would engage communities, protect biodiversity, and deliver results where government programs have failed.
"The only good feral cat is a dead feral cat," Borsak said. "Let's bring back common sense and give native wildlife a fighting chance."
https://youtu.be/qjXmS_vTeFA?si=3OC1f3MJS2wgXl8F
Obstructive Goulburn Planning Department Fights Greyhound Straight Track but It Is Finally Approved
In a Private Members Statement, Robert laid bare the shocking actions of Goulburn Mulwaree Council Planning Department. The Planning Department dragged out the development process of the Goulburn Greyhound Racing Club Straight Track for 916 days, and then recommended it be refused. It was recently approved by councillors last week when they discovered Planning had ignored specific details to stop the project. Click on the link below to watch Robert reveal the damning behaviour of the Goulburn Planners:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8swhttBLWe0
Questions Asked About Greyhound Racing Track Upgrade Funding
In another Question Without Notice Robert asked Minister Graham if unused capital funding set aside for safety upgrades on greyhound tracks would be allocated before the end of this current financial year or rolled into the next one. Click below to see the question asked in parliament:
https://youtube.com/shorts/yaFfIwNqj6g
On 17th July the minister advised Robert that:
Approval was granted for funding of $6,970,650 from the Greyhound Capital Grants Program in the 2024-25 financial year for Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) to undertake projects at Lithgow, Temora, The Gardens, Dubbo and Gosford tracks.
