Change the Legislation to Save Native Australian Birds from Unnecessary Death Sentences

On Friday 2nd September 2011, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services granted a licence that allowed the police to shoot an attacking Magpie in Tweed Heads, NSW.
The bird was deemed to be dangerous in response to a complaint from George Croft who provided evidence that his daughter had been struck in the head by the bird while she was walking home from school. George Croft demanded the bird be shot, likening it to a dangerous dog.
The male Magpie had been defending his nest in a nearby tree.  His behaviour was typical of the species for this particular time of the year (breeding season).  The behaviour is so common, that many consider it almost an Australian rite of passage to avoid magpies on the way to/from school.  The bird is native to Australia and valued as an Australian icon.
In this particular magpie's case, the police refused to shoot the bird amidst much public outcry.  For the moment, the bird's death sentence is suspended until another such complaint is made.
This case has highlighted a need for a policy change with regards to these situations.  NPWS stated that in issuing the licence to shoot, they were following their policy (which they stated is determined by members of parliament).  They stated that they have no choice but to enforce this policy when a complaint like this is made.  The policy is that if a bird is swooping from the ground up, or making physical contact with/injuring a person - a licence to shoot is to be granted.
This policy gives the NPWS no option for a non-lethal solution.  It is not inline with similar policies that are used inter-state.  In Queensland, a bird in this situation would be relocated.
This policy also impacts significantly on other native species of birds that are known for their nest protection behaviours.  In particular, the Masked Lapwing - which is a ground dwelling bird whose main method of protecting its nest and young, is to swoop from the ground upwards.  A behaviour, which automatically labels it as 'dangerous' under this policy.
Public suggestions that were raised in the outcry for the Tweeds Head case included the options of using temporary fencing and signage to warn people to avoid the swoop zone.  Some suggested people be educated to wear hats and carry sticks/umbrellas over their shoulders (not to use to swat at the birds, but so that their highest point would not be their heads - helping to avoid contact).