Over the past two weeks, your Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MPs have been hard at work in Budget Estimates, putting Ministers and senior bureaucrats under the spotlight. From transport and infrastructure, to water, energy, and regional services, we've been asking the tough questions on behalf of our communities.
This special edition gives you a snapshot of what we've been raising, what answers we got, and where we'll keep pushing.
Conservation Hunting Support from the Premier
Early in the hearings, Robert raised the upcoming Conservation Hunting Bill with the Premier, highlighting the effectiveness of hunters and the optimism around the new bounty system. It was a positive and constructive exchange. Click below to watch:
Vision Impaired & Disabled Target Shooting
Following on from last year's Budget Estimates, Robert once again put the spotlight on vision impaired target shooting. He also pressed the Minister on broader funding for disabled target shooting and support for shooting sports at the Brisbane 2032 Games. Minister Washington was caught off guard and has now taken the questions on notice.
Disability Inclusion in Fishing
Robert pressed the Government on disability inclusion in fishing, asking how current funding is being used to create real opportunities for disabled fishers. He highlighted that providing disabled access and programs is not compulsory under the current framework and urged the Government to take action to ensure inclusivity across the sector.
Minister for Women Stumbles in Estimates
One of the most telling moments of Budget Estimates came when the Minister for Women, Seniors, Prevention of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault was pressed on the Government's position. After some hesitation, she confirmed that under their definition, "a woman is anyone who identifies as a woman" and admitted that a man could, in fact, be awarded NSW Woman of the Year.
Click below to watch the Minister struggle through what even she seemed to find hard to believe:
Minister for Transwomen
https://youtube.com/shorts/9M449F3a8Gc?feature=share
A Man Can Win NSW Woman of the Year
Greyhound Industry Support
At last year's Estimates, the Premier was clear about his government's support for the continuation of the greyhound industry. Earlier this year, Robert also raised a Question Without Notice on the $30 million fund announced in 2018 for safety upgrades. In this round of Estimates, he received details on how the funding has been used, the number of dogs heading overseas for programs, and strong backing from Minister Harris.
First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme
In Estimates, Robert pressed the Treasurer on the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme questioning who is eligible, how effective it really is in Sydney's sky-high property market, and what support it offers to people in the regions.
Click below to hear Treasurer Mookhey's response:
Boating Infrastructure Funding Concerns
Mark Banasiak raised serious questions about how the NSW Government is allocating funds from the Boating Infrastructure for Communities Grants Program. While the program is meant to improve boat ramps, wharves, dredging and access, Mark highlighted that projects such as refurbishing an effluent station and funding a "small watercraft strategy" have been approved. He pointed out that boaters, who contribute almost $60 million annually through registrations and licence fees, deserve to see that money invested directly into bricks-and-mortar boating infrastructure, not planning documents or toilet blocks.
Mark pressed departmental officials on why these non-boating projects ranked higher than genuine boating upgrades and asked for the assessment criteria, submissions and scoring sheets to be tabled. He made it clear that while clean waterways and amenities are important, they mean little if ramps are unsafe or unusable. The message was simple: boating funds should deliver boating infrastructure.
Serious Concerns Over Aerial Culling Operations
Mark Banasiak raised major concerns with the Department over aerial culling practices in NSW. He questioned how the accuracy of reported kills is verified, pointing to troubling inconsistencies in the official data. For example, records show 196 animals were reportedly shot on 9 October, yet no flight data exists for that day.
Mark also revealed first-hand observations from Willow Tree, where he and staff witnessed helicopters firing blindly into empty tree lines and gullies shortly after they had traversed the area. Despite claims of over 300 shots fired in the week prior, only one carcass was located, raising serious doubts about both the effectiveness and accountability of the program.
He pressed officials to explain how such practices comply with safety protocols, and called for transparency by asking for flight logs, contractor details, and assessment data to be tabled.
Holding EnergyCo to Account - The Barry Case
Mark Banasiak continued to push the Government on its handling of Ian and Vicki Barry's case, exposing the gap between the Minister's expectations and EnergyCo's actions. Despite previous assurances that the Barrys would be treated "sensitively, compassionately and expediently," Mark highlighted a series of failures, from coercive ultimatums and withholding legal costs, to denying biodiversity offset compensation and, shockingly, using Ian's illness in a PR recruitment exercise.
The Minister admitted such conduct was "unacceptable" and pledged it would cease, while EnergyCo apologised but defended itself as being in "sensitive legal negotiations." Mark pressed further, pointing out that if EnergyCo could treat a man with motor neurone disease this way, it raised serious concerns for how other landholders were being dealt with across NSW. His message was clear: all landholders deserve to be treated with respect, fairness and dignity. Nothing less.
Questioning $19.9 Million in New Water Compliance Funding
Mark Banasiak pressed the Government on the additional $19.9 million allocated to the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR), questioning whether it represents value for money given water users already have some of the highest compliance rates in the State. He asked whether the funding, largely drawn from water licence and user charges, would genuinely improve compliance or simply add more costs to those already doing the right thing.
The Minister conceded that while compliance in most areas is high, gaps remain in non-urban metering but emphasised that NRAR's role is not just about enforcement. A significant share of the funding will also go toward education and support, recognising that most water users aim to comply. Mark further pushed for a breakdown of how much of the $19.9 million will be directed to compliance, education, and other activities, and raised concerns that small and simplistic community surveys had been used to justify higher charges on water users.
Hampden Bridge - More Reviews, No Action
Mark Banasiak challenged Transport for NSW on why Hampden Bridge, a critical crossing for Kangaroo Valley, wasn't included in the Regional NSW Services and Infrastructure Plan. Despite its well-known structural issues and long history of reviews, the department admitted it is still "looking at options" through yet another business case and engineering review.
Mark pointed out that since 1990 at least eight consultants have examined Hampden Bridge, and departmental experts have already concluded there are no short-term fixes. Duplication or replacement is the only real solution. He pressed officials not to give the community false hope by dangling reviews of short-term options that have already been ruled out and asked whether alternatives like Glenmurray Road are being seriously considered.
Pushing for Electrification of the Kiama-Bomaderry Line
Mark Banasiak pressed the Government on why electrification of the Kiama-Bomaderry rail line, promised in both the 2018 Regional NSW Services and Infrastructure Plan and Future Transport 2056, has yet to begin. Despite locals enduring unreliable services, the project remains stuck in "investigation" mode, with only $1.5 million currently allocated for planning and resilience studies.
Mark highlighted that 80% of locals are unhappy with the current service and that waiting 10-20 years just for an investigation is unacceptable. The Government admitted electrification, duplication, and other upgrades are "under examination," but could not provide costings or timelines. Mark made it clear: commuters deserve more than endless reviews, they need real improvements delivered now.
Thank you for your continued support!
