On behalf of the sector, we have recently developed the 2026 Hunting Sector Briefing on Hunting and Game Animal Management.

The briefing has been informed by ongoing engagement with hunters, hunting sector organisations and sector leaders, including through a recent hunting sector leaders’ survey. It outlines the sector’s key principles and policy priorities for hunting and game animal management over the next three years and has been provided to political parties in the lead up to the 2026 General Election.

This work is being done as part of the GAC’s statutory role to raise awareness of the views of the hunting sector. Our CEO Corina has also been catching up with political parties to step them through the sector’s views and aspirations.

The briefing supports constructive conversations about recognising hunting as valued and practical, coordinated and community-backed approaches to game animal management. It outlines six recommendations that have been provided to political parties:

  1. Progress legislative reform that recognises and embeds hunting as valued, and game animals as valued introduced species and protects these values for future generations.
  2. Strengthen the statutory role and independence of the GAC, to support a greater role for the hunting sector in management planning and implementation.
  3. Support greater hunter and community-led management, with hunters as active partners in managing game animals.
  4. Continue progress toward implementing the current HOSI proposals and enable additional HOSI where appropriate.
  5. Improve coordination across hunting and management measures to better align objectives, reduce conflict and support long-term game animal management outcomes.
  6. Protect and improve hunting opportunities by safeguarding and increasing access, supporting initiatives that improve herd and habitat quality, ensuring reasonable firearms rules, and continuing to invest in hunter education and training.

As part of this work, the GAC has also asked for information from political parties about their key policy direction in relation to these priorities. We will share their responses in the lead up to the election.

Read the 2026 Hunting Sector Briefing on Hunting and Game Animal Management here.