I almost have to laugh.
The Minns Labor Government has announced . . . wait for it . . . a “review” into feral pigs.
Because, obviously, what millions of 100kg breeding machines tearing up regional New South Wales really fear is a discussion paper in Macquarie Street.
Last week, I drove from Armidale to Moree at night, about 250 kilometres of quality agricultural country.
Between Bundarra and Bingara alone I counted 21 deer.
Across the full trip? Nine foxes and at least 50 pigs.
Between Bingara and Gravesend the pigs were so thick in places they were impossible to count, as dad used to say in the yards at home, I’m a shocking counter.
And I’ll admit: this wasn’t a departmental survey or a funded monitoring program.
It was just me looking out the windscreen into the beam of the driving lights.
If that’s what you see on a single trip, imagine what’s out there breeding unchecked.
While the government congratulates itself on “co-ordination frameworks” and “strategic reviews,” pigs are multiplying at a rate that would make Treasury blush.
They’re tearing up crops, destroying pastures, fouling waterways and creating serious biosecurity risks and regional communities are left to carry the cost.
But don’t worry, the Minister has announced a review.
At this point, the only thing growing faster than the feral pig population is the stack of government paperwork about them.
Farmers and regional communities don’t need another consultation session in Sydney.
We need helicopters in the air, targeted, coordinated aerial shooting and drastically expanded baiting programs.
We need serious funding and sustained operations that actually reduce numbers, not just manage headlines.
Here’s a simple benchmark for success: fewer pigs on the ground and fewer government media releases.
This problem is out of control. The government’s response is not good enough.
We don’t need more reviews.
We need real action, and a lot more dead pigs.
Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands
