NSW Nats & Libs Commit To Common Sense
NSW Liberal Leader, Peter Debnam, and the NSW Leader of The Nationals, Andrew Stoner, today announced that a Liberal/Nationals Government would reverse Labor's "lock out" of horse riders and other bush users from National Parks.
Under an historic Memorandum of Understanding signed with key bush user groups outside Parliament House, horse riders will assist the Liberal/Nationals in developing policies that ensure horse riders have fair access to National Park areas.
"The Liberal/Nationals have worked closely over the years with groups including the Snowy Mountains Bush Users Group, The Australian Horse Alliance and the Snowy Mountains Horse Riding Association," Mr Debnam said.
"Under the MOU, a Liberal/Nationals Government will remove the blanket prohibition against riding in Wilderness and Nature Reserves within three months of gaining office.
"Within six months, the Liberal/Nationals will review Plans of Management for reserve areas where horse riding had been permitted prior to the classification of
those areas as Wilderness or Nature Reserves or the Adoption of a Plan of Management.
"For 12 years, the Carr-Iemma Labor Government has reduced areas of National Parks and Reserve Lands accessible to horse riders and other bush users.
"Bush users have an important part to play in the sustainable management of park areas through the maintenance of fire trails and working co-operately with park staff to improve the stewardship of these areas.
"Under our policy, areas where it is scientifically shown that horse riding and other activities would harm the environment would remain closed to such activities."
Mr Stoner said Iemma-Costa Labor Government was locking bush users out of their own areas to boost its credentials with the extreme greens in an attempt to net votes.
"Labor's pandering to the Greens in order to stitch up preferences at the next State election has come at the expense of horse riders. Labor's "lock out" has never been about science," Mr Stoner said.
"In Australia and particularly in NSW, horse riding has been a part of our history and culture. From the Light Horse Brigade riding "Walers" in World War I to the Man from Snowy River. The Liberal/Nationals don't want to see this important tradition lost.
"Labor also fails to appreciate the importance of these activities to tourism and local economies.
"The MOU will also recognise the cultural significance of the brumbies (pictured above) and ensure their proper management and protection within Kosciuszko National Park and Guy Fawkes River National Park.
"After 12 years of Labor, bush users should not be treated like the enemy. The people of NSW deserve higher standards and better services."
Contact: Brad Burden (Debnam's Office). 0401- 672- 145
Tanya Cleary (Stoner's Office). 0418 - 615- 280.
