Over the past fortnight, Robert and Mark have spent time at Supplementary Budget Estimates questioning ministers and senior public servants in all government departments through the various upper house Portfolio Committees. Budget Estimates are a unique opportunity for members of the Legislative Council (the NSW Upper House) to hold the government and public service accountable and it is where the value of having members in parliament shines. Shooting, fishing and rural lobby groups and organisations may plead with the government to help them, but SFF can scrutinise and embarrass the government into acting by exposing their shortcomings at Budget Estimates.

In the final week of Parliament for 2023, Robert and Mark were at it again fighting government incompetence and extreme fringe politics. And there was no lack of nonsensical decisions and crazy ideology which, if allowed to go unchecked would continue to impact on shooters and hunters, fishers of all descriptions and people in rural and regional communities. There was so much garbage that Robert and Mark found themselves leaving Parliament House after midnight more than once.

Forestry workers in the States north are experiencing illegal protests at their work sites, with one contractor told their machinery would be “burnt to the ground”, says Shooters Fishers and Farmers MLC, Mark Banasiak.

SFF party spokesman Robert Borsak said today that the position taken by Independent member for Murray Helen Dalton will cause the loss of jobs and income from grants to local communities.

Both sides of politics are responsible for decimating the NSW timber industry following the withdrawal of a government bill that would remove dual consent approvals for private native forestry.

For all info about SFF Victoria and the upcoming 2022 State Election, visit their website: 
https://www.vicshootersfishersandfarmers.org.au/

The Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party leader, Robert Borsak, today warned Coles supermarket group that their request for farmers to "cut costs" rather than increase prices would propel NSW into a food security crisis.

Shooters Fishers and Farmers MLC Mark Banasiak is calling on the Government to compensate beekeepers who must destroy their hives infected with varroa mite. 

"There is growing concern within beekeeping communities that hives with varroa mites are not being destroyed due to the enormous financial impact it will have," said Mr Banasiak.