A SHOOTERS MP said it was "unfortunate" he couldn't take a rival MP "outside and beat you to death" as debate on shooting in national parks turned nasty.

Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham yesterday accused the Game Council of taking millions in kickbacks over the bill to allow recreational hunters into national parks.

An angry Shooters MP Robert Brown fired back: "I don't have a thin skin but when a guy looks at you and points at you and says on to the record in this house they took $1 million kickback, to me that is impugning my reputation, mate. You either withdraw it here.

"Unfortunately we're in a modern era so I can't take you outside and beat you to death."

Mr Buckingham withdrew his comment, but Greens colleague Cate Faehrmann demanded Mr Brown do the same. The Shooters Party MP apologised for the threat, saying: "I lost my temper."

"I'm sorry for what I said Jeremy."

Mr Buckingham said it was the second time he had received a death threat from the Shooters Party over the course of debate on the national parks bill.

Originally published as 'Unfortunately I can't beat you to death'