A proposed New South Wales bill that would enshrine a "right to hunt" and expand hunting access has come under intense criticism in Australia after the fatal shooting of American conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.
The Game and Feral Animal Legislation Amendment (Conservation Hunting) Bill 2025, introduced by Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party MP Robert Borsak, would create a Conservation Hunting Authority, broaden licensed hunters' access to public lands, legalise suppressors (commonly called silencers) for hunting, and establish bounties for feral animals. Opponents say the measures risk weakening Australia’s strict firearms regime and promote pro-gun interests.
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Authorities have not publicly identified a suspect and the shooter remained at large; Utah's governor described the killing as a "politically-motivated assassination." Australian lawmakers and advocacy groups have pointed to the incident in criticizing the New South Wales bill.
Borsak has defended the measure as recognition of cultural practices and an environmental management tool, saying the bill would operate within existing licensing and safety arrangements and would not "automatically give anyone the right to a firearm." He cited what he described as a long record of safe conservation hunting in the state, noting that more than two million hectares of state forests have been used for hunting over two decades without a reported fatality or injury.
Opponents, including Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst, argued the bill is effectively a "Trojan horse for the pro-gun lobby," and said the timing of its introduction was particularly insensitive in the wake of Kirk’s killing. "The tragic shooting today in the United States is a harsh reminder of why we cannot allow any weakening of Australia's tough gun laws," Hurst said, calling the bill "a disaster for human safety, animal welfare, and genuine conservation."
The legislation has also sparked partisan conflict within New South Wales politics. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman of the Liberal Party accused the Minns Labor government of striking a "dodgy deal" with the Shooters party to secure support for unrelated legislation, alleging the bill promotes a "dangerous agenda." The Nationals expressed partial support for aspects of the bill, underscoring a split in the broader opposition.
Premier Chris Minns responded to mounting public criticism by removing the explicit "right to hunt" clause from the legislation, saying he recognised concerns that the phrase could draw parallels with the United States' Second Amendment. He maintained, however, that the broader framework of the bill would proceed, including establishment of the Conservation Hunting Authority. Critics have warned the authority could be populated with representatives sympathetic to gun interests and exclude independent conservation scientists.
Gun-safety advocates and child-safety organisations voiced strong opposition. The Alannah and Madeline Foundation and the Australian Gun Safety Alliance described the bill as among the most regressive firearm proposals in three decades, arguing it could erode public safety and undermine environmental management practices by incentivising hunting on public lands rather than investment in professional pest control.
The shooting in Utah prompted expressions of sorrow from several Australian politicians. Former prime minister Tony Abbott called Kirk's death "shocking" and extended prayers to his family, while Nationals Senator Matt Canavan said Kirk modelled a forceful but respectful approach to debate and condemned the violence.
Australia's modern gun laws trace in large part to the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, which triggered sweeping federal reforms including a buyback program and strict licensing rules that have been credited with reducing gun deaths and mass shootings. Proponents of the New South Wales bill say their aim is to formalise and regulate existing recreational and conservation hunting practices, while opponents contend any expansion of legal access to firearms or related equipment risks eroding the country's longstanding regulatory framework.
Parliamentary debate on the bill is expected to continue amid further public scrutiny and political maneuvering. Lawmakers and advocacy groups will likely monitor the issue closely as they weigh amendments, potential safeguards and the balance between pest control, cultural practices and public safety.