In a previous post, I spoke about why it is critical for firearm owners to vote, and to vote for those who actually understand the bush. That message is becoming even more urgent as we watch access to public land slowly slip away, not just through locked gates and red tape, but now through steep price hikes that threaten to turn the outdoors into a playground only for the wealthy.

Recently, Outback Mike raised serious concerns over a proposed fee increase for camping in NSW National Parks. One example he highlighted was Thredbo Diggings, where fees are set to jump from just $6 per night to a staggering $54. That is a ninefold increase, and it's being justified with vague explanations like “ghost bookings” and increased visitation.

But instead of fixing the problem by expanding access and increasing campsite numbers, the government’s solution is to make it unaffordable for everyday Australians.

Mike’s message is simple and powerful:

• Scrap the unnecessary booking systems that were not required before COVID
• Increase campsite capacity to match demand, rather than pricing people out

He also encourages everyone to take action by completing the public consultation survey before 25 May, warning that nature should not become a luxury item for the few.

Watch Outback Mike's video here:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1288757979336879

Have your say here:
https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/camping

SFF Is Standing Up While Others Stay Silent

These concerns are not new, and fortunately, they are not being ignored by everyone. For more than 30 years, the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party (SFF) has been one of the only parties in Parliament consistently fighting to protect access to public land for outdoor users, whether it’s camping, bike riding, four-wheel driving, hunting, or fishing.

Just last week, Mark Banasiak of the SFF delivered a passionate speech in Parliament, highlighting the slow and quiet erosion of public access across NSW. Time and again, what begins as a “temporary closure” ends up being made permanent. Recreational users are shut out, emergency services are denied access, and key decisions are made with zero consultation.

Now, the latest threat is coming in the form of financial exclusion. Families who have camped in national parks for generations may soon find it out of reach—unless action is taken.

Real Solutions, Not More Barriers

The SFF is not just pointing out the problems. They are offering real solutions. Mark Banasiak has been actively working to restore access to locked gates, push back on unjustified closures, and simplify the tangled web of bureaucracy that surrounds public land management in NSW.

The party understands that the bush is not just a holiday spot. It is a lifestyle, a community, and in many cases, a responsibility. They support the people who camp, fish, hunt, ride, and care for the land, not just those who look at it from a distance.

The Message Is Clear

If you enjoy camping, hunting, fishing, bike riding, or simply escaping to the bush, this affects you.

Public land should not be locked up. It should not be booked out weeks in advance. And it should not be priced beyond the reach of regular families.

This is a critical moment to have your voice heard.

Complete the survey before 25 May:
https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/camping

Watch and share Outback Mike's call to action:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1288757979336879

Speak up. Share the message. Support those fighting to keep the outdoors open and accessible, for everyone.

Note: Outback Mike has no affiliation to SFF, the views in this blog are that of the authors only.