NSW “Right To Hunt” Bill Splitting Coalition

Infighting is plaguing the Coalition after the proposal of a controversial Shooters, Fishers and Farmers bill, seeking to enshrine the “right to hunt” in the state’s statutory rights.

Backed by the Labor government, the bill would make hunting one of the “very rare” fundamental rights in New South Wales, alongside receiving an education and voting. It would also introduce a Conservation Hunting Authority to oversee the rights of hunters, with hunting groups nominating four of the authority’s seven voting members.

Introduced in May, The Game and Feral Animal Legislation Amendment (Conservation Hunting) Bill 2025 has faced significant criticism by gun control groups, the Greens and the Animal Justice Party.

The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, founded in memory of founder Walter Mikac’s daughters who were killed in the Port Arthur massacre, described it as the “most regressive firearm legislation introduced into any Parliament in Australia in 30 years.”

“This Bill is nothing more than a trojan horse for the gun lobby, which has a vested, commercial interest in the proliferation of firearms in Australia,” the organisation wrote in its submission for the bill.

Meanwhile, Greens senator David Shoebridge told The Guardian it was a “poor excuse from the Labor government to throw the gun lobby a bone,” and criticised the party of “prejudicing public safety”.

Viability of bill coming down to Nationals

Rumours have been swirling of a potential deal between the Shooters and Minns government for months, although spokespeople for both parties have rejected the notion.

“Labor will never vote to water down gun laws – not now, not ever. The only major party proposing to water down gun laws is the NSW National Party,” said a spokeswoman for Minns.

However, an email to constituents from Liberal MP James Wallace seen by the Sydney Morning Herald claimed that the inclusion of $7.9 million in the budget for the “Conservation Hunting Authority” indicated the Minns government had been collaborating with the SFF Party on the bill.

“The premier and Labor appear to have been caught out doing US-style political horse-trading on gun rights with the Shooters Party in exchange for their support on other government legislation,” opposition leader Mark Speakman told the Herald.

“Chris Minns must rule out trading gun laws for upper house votes to pass his cuts to workers’ compensation.”

Nationals upper house leader Sarah Mitchell said that, bar some amendments to be moved later, the opposition was largely supportive of the bill, however, spokeswoman for Nationals leader and opposition agriculture spokesman Dugald Saunders told the Herald a different story.

“We’re awaiting the report from an inquiry before considering our final position and will have more discussions with our party room before that position is clear,” she said.

Nationals members are facing pressure from recreational shooters to support the bill, though if they get on board, the bill will pass easily.

The parliamentary committee is expected to report on 8 September, with the legislation is expected to follow shortly after.