A controversial proposal to pay hunters $20 for each feral animal they kill in regional New South Wales has ignited a political firestorm.
NSW Premier Chris Minns on Tuesday floated the idea as a potential solution to the state’s $13million feral animal problem.
Invasive species such as pigs, cats, dogs, and rabbits cost farmers millions in damage each year and pose a serious threat to native wildlife and ecosystems.
But the ‘barbaric’ plan has been criticised, with NSW Upper House MP and Animal Justice Party member Emma Hurst condemning it as a waste of taxpayers’ money.
‘Bounties encourage mass cruelty to animals,’ Hurst told Daily Mail Australia.
‘A similar Victorian scheme has received extreme criticism for this. We can’t copy the same ruthless and cruel program into NSW.’
She said mass animal killing programs, including poison and aerial shootings, have been proven to be ‘both cruel and ineffective’.
Invasive Species Council CEO Jack Gough has also criticised the proposal, accusing the Premier and the Labor Party of cutting a political deal with the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party in exchange for its support.
NSW Farmers says more needs to be done to cull feral pests like foxes (stock image)
Hunters could be paid $20 per wild animal they kill under a controversial proposal (stock)
‘[It] has nothing to do with good feral animal management,’ Gough said.
‘Bounty hunters might be heroes on the big screen, but in the real world of feral animal control, they’re just a waste of taxpayers’ money.’
Hurst echoed his concerns, arguing that there are more humane alternatives.
‘If the Premier and the Shooters Party were genuine about wanting to reduce the number of introduced animals, they would be relying on science and running immunocontraceptive programs,’ she said.
‘You don’t need to be an expert to see that arming the general public with guns and sending them off on a yahoo killing spree is not the answer, and, in fact, creates a risk for everyone in the community.’
Shooters Party MP Robert Borsak has previously called for bounties to be offered, citing the failings of Local Land Services (LLS) regarding pest management.
In 2024, LLS spent over $13.2million on pest control and removed just 112,000 animals, most of which were feral pigs.
Mr Borsak said recreational hunters are both more efficient and more cost-effective.
Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst (pictured) called the proposal ‘barbaric and archaic’
In 2024, LLS spent over $13.2million on pest control and removed just 112,000 animals, most of which were feral pigs (pictured)
‘Recreational conservation hunters shot 1.69million pigs in the 2024 calendar year and contributed over $100million to the NSW economy, primarily benefiting rural and regional communities,’ he told Parliament in March.
He has proposed a $20 bounty for pigs, foxes, and feral cats in New South Wales, arguing the initiative would assist farmers and volunteer hunters while addressing the widespread damage caused by invasive species.
According to Mr Borsak, a $2million program could result in the removal of 100,000 animals, a fraction of the cost of existing LLS programs.
He said it would also reduce financial pressure on farmers and encouraging greater community involvement.
NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin has backed the proposal and criticised its opponents, saying animal pests were costing $489million in damages each year.
‘Online commentators who suggest we don’t need additional efforts in this area are seriously out of touch with the realities of the landscape,’ he said.
‘That’s a staggering amount of money, and that’s why we welcome the Premier’s approach to look at every option to slash the number of feral animals.’
Premier Chris Minns, Environment Minister Penny Sharpe and Robert Bosak MLC were contacted for comment by Daily Mail Australia.
