I, Jacqui Haskayne recieved a call from Chris Tallentire, Shadow Minister for Environment,Climate Change & Land, that the next morning the Shooters and Fishers Party and other Pro-gun lobbyists will be forwarding their case to Recreational hunt/shoot in WA.
I went to Parliament the next morning (13/8/14) to listen to their case.
They mainly spoke about profit and somewhat explained eradication of vermin. I was horrified and worried.
As I made my way home I spoke to people about it, and was surprised nobody knew.
I have learnt that it has been strategally hushed from the public. I have continued to spread awareness about this issue, as I believe the public deserve to know, and we deserve our say towards this issue.
If Recreational shooting is legalized guns will become more common, legal and illegal. We will be victims to guns, as we watch hunters gradually destroy our heritage of 1000s of years, our forests, our land, which is then privitised, while guns could possibly become legal..as poverty rises.
We must nip this in the bud ! No recreational hunting in WA ! ! !
To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia in Parliament assembled.
We, the undersigned, note the current ban on the use of our public lands for recreational shooting and hunting and the following rationale:
- According to many experts, including the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Australia is facing an extinction crisis. Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world: 29 native mammals have become extinct since European settlement. To put this in a global context, 1 out of 3 mammal extinctions in the last 400 years have occurred in Australia.
- Illegal recreational shooting and hunting has already led to the introduction on public land of ecosystem destroying exotic species like pigs and goats. Any change to our current laws will further jeopardise the future of our native species.
- Tourists, bushwalkers, mountain bikers and others seeking to enjoy our public lands will have their rights diminished. The mere sound of gunfire is an unwanted intrusion; people will no longer feel safe entering areas such as National Parks, StateForests or unallocated crown land.
- If recreational shooting and hunting on public land is legalised the demand for guns will rise and lead to the establishment of an American style gun culture. No right minded Australian wants to see that.
Now we ask the Legislative Assembly to urge the State Government to reject any calls for permission to be given to those wishing to go shooting and recreational hunting on our public lands.
