Mr IAN COHEN: My question is directed to the Minister for Mineral and Forest Resources. Does the Minister support the core objective of hunting authorised by the Game Council in State Forests to totally eradicate identified feral animals such as feral deer? If so, is the Minister disappointed that rather than totally eradicate deer from State Forests in areas around Tumbarumba the Game Council is setting bag limits, limiting the number of feral deer killed by hunters? What positive environmental outcome is achieved for flora and fauna in State Forests if the Game Council is setting limits on the killing of feral species in order to maintain a viable pest population for recreational hunting? This material is available on the relevant website.

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: I remind the member that in about December 2009 I ceased being the Minister responsible for the Game Council. The Minister for Primary Industries, Mr Steve Whan, has carriage of that body and I will refer those parts of the question that relate to the Game Council to him. The overall operation of the activities of the Game Council in our forests has been magnificent for a long period. A number of persons are prepared to voluntarily shoot terrible pests in our environment—

Mr Ian Cohen: Do you support bag limits?

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: I said I will refer such matters to the Minister responsible for the Game Council for an answer in due course. A few years back studies were conducted into the impact of foxes on birds. It is estimated that each year 64 million birds are killed by foxes.

The Hon. John Robertson: How many?

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: Sixty-four million. I should have thought that we all would support those who are willing to go into our forests to practise conservation hunting in order to eliminate foxes and other feral animals. I would have thought that at some stage the Greens would support conservation hunting. I look forward to reading that among their policies during campaigning for the electorates of Balmain and Marrickville at the next election. I hope to see references to conservation hunting and seeking arrangements with great conservation hunters like Robert Brown, who is determined to control and manage the impact of feral animals.

The Hon. Rick Colless: What about Roy?

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: It will be Roy in 2015. I hope the Greens acknowledge the merit of conservation hunting across the great forests of New South Wales.