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The state government’s draft hunting laws have “missed the target” according to member for Orange Phil Donato. If passed by the parliament, the Firearms Regulation 2017 bill would require landholders to supply names, addresses, dates of birth, drivers’ and firearms licences as well as contact details to police – if they host hunters on their farm. “Up until now, a verbal agreement was all that was required,” Mr Donato said. “This is only making it more cumbersome for hunters who want to go hunting legally.” The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party MP said farmers weren’t likely to bother with signing off on the extra red and green tape to allow hunters onto their property. “Farmers are going to be concerned about handing over confidential information and what’s going to be done with it,” he said. “It’s not just whether it’s hunting game like deer or controlling feral animals, it’s the same conditions that will need to be complied with.” During his time in the courtroom, Mr Donato has prosecuted cases of illegal hunting in Orange. He said the draft legislation would not address illegal hunting. “You need to target criminals doing the wrong thing, not people doing the right thing,” Mr Donato said. “Illegal hunters will trespass whether or not they have the property owner’s consent.” Mr Donato said the current penalty for hunters trespassing on private property was around $550. “The government should be finding ways to enforce the law on people who trespass or poach,” he said. “If they want to get serious they have to increase the penalties for people trespassing.” Mr Donato said the changes risked endangering hunting’s economic contribution, which according to a report from the Department of Primary Industries is valued at $700,000 over 12 months and six jobs in Orange. “There’s a significant economic benefit to not only Orange, but Bathurst, Dubbo and Wagga Wagga, any regional community would receive an economic benefit. He said the people who would suffer were small businesses in regional areas including service stations, supermarkets and hotels. Mr Donato said the issue intruded on private property rights. “Who gives the power to the government for them to tell farmers who can and can’t go on a property with their permission?”

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