The past couple of weeks in NSW Parliament have seen both Robert and Mark hard at work calling out the government departments and other organisations and demanding answers for their constituents and country communities.
Robert Borsak:
On 31st July in the Animal Welfare Committee, Robert continued his interrogation of the RSPCA who refused to acknowledge that NPWS's aerial method of brumby killing is inhumane and that shooting any animal up to 15 times is cruelty. Watch the following vids to see Robert take them to task:
On Tuesday 6th August, after the Animal Justice Party, Greens and Legalise Cannabis Party presented him as a paragon of virtue, Robert gave a Notice of Motion roundly condemning Paul Watson, captain of the Sea Shepherd, as the eco-terrorist and pirate he is. Robert highlighted Watson's arrest by Danish authorities and the current extradition process by Japan so Watson can stand trial for his crimes, facing up to 15 years in prison. Watch the video below for the details:
On Thursday 8th August in a Question Without Notice to John Graham MLC, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, Robert asked what strategy had been implemented by Sound NSW for contemporary music projects in rural, regional and remote NSW, and how much of Sound NSW's $18.5m would be spent on country projects. Watch the video below to see Minister Graham's flowery answer:
The same day late in the afternoon Robert gave an Adjournment Speech on the growing practise of banks denying service to businesses and individuals in the firearms industry. The Bendigo Bank even refused to provide services to SFF because we're a "reputational risk"!! Watch Robert name names.
In the community Robert has been out assisting farmers through recreational hunting, removing Rusa deer.
Mark Banasiak:
An issue which has received a large amount of media attention across the regions is Mark's recently announced inquiry into the impact of Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) on rural and regional communities and industries in New South Wales. This inquiry has broad terms and will cover every aspect from the impact of land-based wind and solar, as well as offshore renewable energy. This will be a huge inquiry and we expect to start public hearings in the first half of 2025. If you would like to make a submission to this inquiry, you can do so through the Committee's website below.
Another inquiry before Mark's committee is the impact of the phase-out of Australian live sheep exports by sea on New South Wales. This hearing will likely take place this year before the REZ inquiry kicks off. Submissions are also open now; you can view the terms on Parliament's website.
Impact of the phase-out of Australian live sheep exports by sea on New South Wales (nsw.gov.au)
Recently discovered was the Department of Environment and Heritage sneaking the Koala into their 'Serious and Irreversible Impacts' list with very little, if any, consultation. The only reference given was a 2020 Parliamentary Inquiry run by The Greens, which was full of emotive hyperbole and refused to acknowledge the most up-to-date data. Recent studies show Koala numbers are up to ten times higher than originally thought and greater than in 2012... Why? Probably because there is big money in environmental activism and "Charismatic animal conservation". This could have far-reaching implications, if you are a farmer, forestry worker, or simply own land and are worried about 'green tape' built on emotion rather than science, you need to bookmark this link.
Mark asked why research from actual scientists was ignored in making this decision directly to the Minister for the Environment in question time.
In the community, Mark was invited to the Sydney International Boat Show by the Boating Industry Association and the Minister for Transport's office for the announcement of renewed Boating Now grant funding. For anyone not already aware, Mark has been pressuring and advocating for a review of the Boating Now funding and an independent audit of the Recreational Fishing Trust for close to two years. You can watch Mark's speech here:
Mark also attended the Illawarra Hunting Club's breakdown, butchery and cooking demonstration over the weekend. He put his 'Cooking with MLC' skills to the test and contributed with cheese and jalapeno bread, as well as pulled venison and mince table nachos. If any representatives from the TV networks are reading this, we may be willing to entertain our own show.
