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The NSW Shooters Party has introduced a Bill to parliament to place a five-year moratorium on the creation of new marine parks and the expansion of sanctuary areas within existing marine parks.

The proposed Marine Parks Amendment (Moratorium) Bill follows a strong campaign by the Shooters Party to discredit marine parks with incorrect claims of no scientific support for marine parks and sanctuaries, and false claims they damage local economies. This is despite overwhelming scientific support for the conservation value of both marine parks and sanctuaries, huge community support for marine parks and the increased tourism they generate for local areas.

NSW government gives 'in principle' support for moratorium

The NSW Labor Party threatens to damage their legacy of marine parks by offering their in principle support for the Bill. They have said they would support the Bill provided the current marine parks reviews for the Solitary Islands and Jervis Bay are allowed to proceed. Following that no new marine parks will be created for a five-year period, and no new sanctuaries within existing marine parks will be permitted during marine park reviews.

Strong endorsement of the conservation value of marine parks

An unprecedented alliance of 38 conservation organisations representing more than 590,000 Australians has condemned the State government's support for the Bill as a dangerous set back for marine conservation in NSW. Read the joint media release »

While NSW considers a moratorium on new marine parks, the South Australian government is creating a network of 19 marine parks covering 44% of its waters and the
Australian Government is in the process of creating a system of marine parks for all its commonwealth waters.

The Bill has had its second reading and will be introduced into the Upper House during the next parliamentary sitting starting 31 August 2010.