During the previous week of Parliament, Robert focused on highlighting the importance of hunting in conservation, calling out fake conservationists, and slamming the Greens for their neo-Marxist, anti-Indigenous approach. Meanwhile, Mark kept up the fight against landholders being steamrolled for reckless renewable projects and held the government accountable on water management.
Robert Borsak:
National Resources Commission Report on Invasive Species Management in NSW
During Question Time on Tuesday, 17th September, Robert condemned the National Resources Commission for entirely omitting Cultural Conservation hunting from their recent Preliminary Report on Invasive Species Management in NSW, addressing the elephant in the room. Click the link below to watch Robert ask Minister Sharpe why hunters' significant contributions continue to be ignored.
The next day, in a Private Member's Statement, Robert continued his criticism of the report, this time targeting the anti-hunting, inexperienced, and unqualified Invasive Species Council. Click below to watch him demand that their flawed, taxpayer-funded advocacy be excluded from future reports, and call for the inclusion of Cultural Conservation hunting figures instead.
McPhillamy Gold Mine
On Thursday, 19th September, during a debate on a Matter of Public Importance regarding the McPhillamy Gold Mine and the locations of tailings dams, Robert called out the NSW Greens for their pro-communist, anti-Indigenous tactics. Click below to watch him condemn their mission to destroy country communities.
Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum
On Friday, 20th September, Robert and Mark visited the Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum and met with the team. They were disappointed to find that NSW Police had ordered all firearms off display following a recent break-in and theft of valuable collectible firearms. Despite the museum being fully compliant with its licensing conditions, it now faces nightly security guard requirements and a host of new licensing demands before it can reopen. While the museum is ready to do whatever is needed to reopen, they are being delayed by Thales, the facility's owner. Thales must recognise the museum's cultural significance to shooting and manufacturing and should actively cooperate. Thales presented an opportunity for the museum to purchase the site for $1, but there has been radio silence from Thales since the museum accepted the offer. SFF is committed to fighting for the museum to reopen.
Mark Banasiak:
Hunter Transmission Project (HTC)
Last week, Mark visited renowned Australian film director Ian Barry and his wife Vicky at their Cedar Creek property in the Hunter Valley. Ian, who is in the advanced stages of Motor Neuron Disease, has also been battling EnergyCo since late last year, as their picturesque 105-acre property of 30 years now falls within the proposed Hunter Transmission Corridor footprint. The northern end of the property, where the transmission lines are planned, holds deep personal value for Mr. Barry, providing much-needed solace during his illness. Until now, Ian and Vicky's concerns have been largely ignored, but no longer. SFF is committed to standing up for their rights, and after discussions with the Minister's office, the Barry's case has been elevated to the department's highest priority. Future negotiations will take Ian's condition into full consideration. Behind the scenes, word spread that Mark would be questioning the Minister for Environment about the Barry's situation, which caused quite a stir. You can watch Mark's question below, and see the photo attached.
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Floating Offshore Wind
Every Wednesday during sitting weeks, the NSW Legislative Council holds Private Members' Day, allowing members to bring forward issues for debate. After much anticipation, Mark raised the topic of offshore floating wind turbines and their often-overlooked impacts. These include massive chains, with each link measuring 1.1 to 1.5 meters in length, 55 to 74 centimetres in width, and weighing 500 to 700 kilograms. The turbines also use drag embedment anchors, each about six-by-six meters in size, weighing 30 to 40 tonnes, and buried up to 20 meters into the seabed. While the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party are not against technology, we oppose the misleading narratives that present renewable energy as entirely green, when certain aspects clearly aren't. Though the government amended our motion, we succeeded in making our point. You can catch the full debate on YouTube.
National Water Agreement
Following the announcement of the water connectivity report and the national water agreement, Mark questioned the water minister about the property rights of individual water holders in New South Wales. Later that evening, he further discussed the topic during an adjournment speech. You can watch both videos below.
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