Story: Jo Harrison
The National Parks Association of NSW is encouraging the Armidale community to show their opposition to the NSW Government decision to allow amateur, recreational hunting to occur in national parks, by attending a peaceful rally this Saturday, February 9 from 11am in the Beardy Street Mall to help send the message “No Hunting in National Parks” to the government.
The campaign is coordinated by Justin McKee from the National Parks Association of NSW with the hope of gaining enough support to repeal the legislation that allows recreational hunting in 78 of our national parks from March 1, 2013.
“The National Parks Association is a lobby group that advocates for National Parks specifically; that is our only job,” said Campaign Coorindator Justin McKee.
“We directly oppose recreational hunting in national parks.
“We have been holding a series of rallies to highlight the overwhelming support to the opposition of allowing recreational hunting in national parks.”
Guest speakers on Saturday will include Clr Peter O’Donohue, Greens Councillor for Armidale Dumaresq Council, Justin McKee Campaign Coorindator for the National Parks Association of NSW and Tony Ramsey, President of the ALP’s Armidale Branch. Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay will be providing a statement to be read out at the event, as he is unable to attend.
“Concerned Armidale community members want to send a clear message to Barry O’Farrell,” said Justin McKee.
“This is part of an ongoing series of rallies. We have held 19 so far in regional and metro areas and this is a campaign that we will continue until the legislation is repealed.”
