Mr Gay expressed his disappointment that the Government had not joined the NSW Coalition in their support of the proposal in the Shooter Party’s Game and Feral Animal Bill to allow the hunting of feral animals.

“Parts of the Shooter’s Game and Feral Animal Control Amendment Bill 2009 are simply a glad bag of political wishes that cannot all be supported,” he said.

“But the NSW Liberal Nationals have supported the most important parts of this bill, including the shooting of feral animals in National Parks, and we are prepared to move amendments against the areas that are not acceptable.

“Shooting feral animals in National Parks was our policy at the last election and remains our policy now.

“That is why we will support this section of the Shooter Party’s Bill.

“Even people with green tendencies understand that shooting is often the most humane, economic and efficient method of eliminating feral animals from National Parks and protecting native wildlife and domestic livestock on surrounding farms.

“We must also remember the alternative of not keeping feral animals in check - the terrible prospect of waiting till the throats are ripped out of lambs and other domestic animals on private property.”

Mr Gay said the National Parks Association had not been able to deliver the sort of control in this area that landholders had every right to deserve.

“That is why this sort of properly controlled help is essential with the necessary safeguards put in place,” Mr Gay said.