Shooting enthusiast and Senator, Bridget McKenzie, has taken aim at Labor state governments for she said was a "discriminatory" decision to ban hunting during the coronavirus pandemic.
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The motion passed in the Senate this week was particularly critical of Victoria.
It stated the government "condemns state Labor governments for failing to recognise and respect the considerable social, economic and environmental benefits of hunting and shooting to communities across regional Australia; and their bias and discriminatory decision to restrict firearm and ammunition sales using the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse".
Victoria banned the sale of guns and ammunition during the state's stage 3 restrictions after chief medical officer Brett Sutton ruled hunting was not an acceptable reason to leave the house.
The rule was lifted on Wednesday with the easing of restrictions.
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Senator McKenzie moved her motion on behalf of herself and fellow National Party colleagues.
"Regional communities have missed out on considerable revenue from hunting as a result of the summer bushfires and COVID-19 pandemic," she said.
"Hunters and shooters are more likely to meet sufficient physical activity requirements than the average Australian adult."
She said Australia's hunters and fishers contributed $2.4 billion to the economy in 2018, including a total impact of $439 million in Victoria.
They used an international health pandemic to try to stop us doing what we love, shooting at our local clubs or hunting with family and friends
- Senator Bridget McKenzie
Labor and the Greens formally opposed the motion in the Senate.
"Restrictions, regulations and policies affecting recreational shooters and hunters, farmers, fishers, law-abiding firearms retailers, owners and the firearms industry should be based on facts and not ideological dogma," Senator McKenzie said.
"These bans were ill-informed, and it was unfair treatment of recreational shooters who contributed $2.4 billion to our economy in 2018.
"The disgraceful agenda of Labor and the Greens has been laid bare.
"They used an international health pandemic to try to stop us doing what we love, shooting at our local clubs or hunting with family and friends."
