10 November 2025. Submission to members of the Tasmanian Parliament from Phillip Bigg, Tasmania President, Shooters Union Australia.
This is a template recommendation for changes to the Primary Produce Safety Act 2011. It is a starting point for a Private Member’s Bill or a government amendment — not a final draft. The aim is simple: licensed recreational hunters donate wild game to food banks and charities, safely, instead of leaving protein in a paddock.
Two complementary pathways
1. Regulated schemes (Division 2A). Structured, approved processes for larger-scale donations: designated drop-off points, hygiene guidelines for field dressing and chilling, accredited processing with traceability, inspections and biosecurity, distribution only to registered charities. Labelling: “Donated Wild Game Meat – Not for Sale – Processed under Approved Charitable Scheme.” Inspired by New Zealand’s Hunters Helping the Hungry program.
2. Unregulated direct donations (Section 8A). Free transfer directly to registered charities or food banks, without processing. Mandatory labelling: “DONATED WILD GAME – NOT FOR SALE – GIVEN AS IS.” End users sign a liability waiver accepting full responsibility for food safety and waiving the right to sue the donor, charity or processor. Builds on Civil Liability Act 2002 s35F.
The Bill prohibits sale. It focuses on deer and wallaby control. It includes a two-year sunset clause for review. It amends the Primary Produce Safety (Meat and Poultry) Regulations 2024 and aligns with the Commercial Use of Wild-shot Deer Trial (to April 2026).
Impact: 50–100 tonnes of protein a year to Foodbank Tasmania and similar groups — zero cost, zero waste.
Once tabled, it should go to comprehensive community consultation — hunters, farmers, conservation groups, food relief organisations, biosecurity experts and the public. Shooters Union Australia will sit in any hearing that is called.
Authorised by Phillip Bigg, Hobart Road, New Norfolk TAS 7140.