18 August 2020
Today, Tasmania's Primary Industries Minister, Guy Barnett, has made good on an election commitment by announcing the funding of a study into the economic and social value of hunting and sporting shooting to Tasmania.
"The Tasmanian Liberal Government recognises that recreational hunting and sporting shooting is an important tradition for many Tasmanians", Mr Barnett said. "It also provides significant benefits to landholders in assisting with management of browsing wildlife as well as to regional economies through travel and purchase of good and services".
The Tasmanian Government has committed $50,000 towards the study as part of its 'First 100-Day Plan'.
The study will assess the contribution that thousands of Tasmanians, hunting and shooting clubs, support organisations, retailers and suppliers make to regional Tasmania.
An advisory group of key stakeholders, including the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia, Australian Deer Association and the Tasmanian Deer Advisory Council, is being formed to help scope the project with findings to help inform future policy and management directions.
Australian Deer Association Tasmanian Co-Ordinator Scott Freeman welcomed the announcement. "We know that hunting delivers great benefits to Tasmania socially, environmentally and economically", Mr Freeman said "being able to quantify that economic and social value will enable the Government, and hunters, to plan for future growth and maximise the benefits for all Tasmanians".
Mr Barnett re-iterated the value that he and his government place on the role of hunters in society "we greatly value our unique way of life and are pleased to deliver on this commitment to support traditional recreational pursuits and the Tasmanian way of life".
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