Deer in the Royal National Park near Waterfall.
Plans to allow hunters into national parks will again be debated in the NSW Parliament after the government was presented with a petition of more than 10,000 signatures against the proposal.
Amateur shooters will be allowed into 77 national parks later this year as part of a deal Premier Barry O'Farrell struck with the Shooters and Fishers Party in exchange for their support of his power privatisation.
Speaking outside Parliament yesterday, National Parks Association of NSW chief executive Kevin Evans said another 100,000 people had signed online petitions.
BLOG: Shooting policy plain dumb
"The overwhelming support for the campaign is compelling," he said. "We call on the government to end this madness."
Independent MP Alex Greenwich said the petition sent a "loud and clear message".
"This is the people of NSW giving Barry O'Farrell the opportunity to stand up to a fringe micro party and take action on behalf of the people of NSW," he said.
Opposition environment spokesman Luke Foley conceded it was unlikely the petition would change the Premier's mind.
"Mr O'Farrell has got himself in real trouble; every other day we hear some new twist on the risks entailed once our national parks are opened [to hunters].
"I do expect Mr O'Farrell to proceed because he unfortunately prioritises his dirty deal with the Shooters Party over public safety."
Premier O'Farrell indicated he was determined to press ahead, but would debate again. AAP
