Guns in parks on O'Farrell's head: Labor

Hunting in NSW national parks has not been delayed indefinitely, Premier Barry O'Farrell says. Source: AAP

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell should resign if someone is shot when the state's national parks are opened up to hunting, the NSW opposition says.

It says parents should "lock up their children" if the April school holidays usher in a new era of shooters sharing national parks with bushwalkers.

"Given that you are pressing ahead, despite strong warnings from your government's own risk assessment, will you resign if the unthinkable happens and someone is shot?" Opposition Leader John Robertson asked the premier during question time on Wednesday.

Mr O'Farrell, who failed to answer the question, instead attacked Labor for reintroducing duck shooting in 2008.

The government was also asked why exclusion zones weren't being considered as part of the hunting deal struck with the Shooters and Fishers Party in exchange for its support for the government's privatisation of electricity assets.

NSW Environment Minister Robyn Parker told parliament consultations were continuing over how the controversial move would be carried out, but it would not begin until late April or possibly May.

"When that risk assessment is complete then the controls in each park will be announced ... You just need to listen," she said during the first sitting week of the new parliamentary year.

Outside parliament, opposition environment spokesman Luke Foley said there was no right time to allow amateur hunters into national parks "but the very, very worst time is the school holiday period".

"It stands to reason that any new program ... is going to have flaws and problems in its early days.

"My message to parents (is) lock up your children."

Ms Parker confirmed late on Wednesday the program would cost taxpayers $19.1 million over five years.

Mr Robertson responded: "Taxpayers are being forced to foot the bill because of a grubby deal.

"They have a minister who is not across her brief, who is not implementing exclusion zones when it comes to roads and walkways ... when it comes to the distances between hunters and people using our national parks."

NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann said the premier was "throwing money" in a vain attempt to mitigate the risks that should be spent on weeds and feral animals.

"But what he should be doing is ripping up the deal and ending this embarrassing saga."

During question time in the upper house, Ms Faehrmann also called on the government to sack Game Council head John Mumford, after he admitted helping to produce flyers on behalf of a shooter's lobby targeting a rival pest control program.

"(He) has demonstrated a frightening lack of professionalism and judgment for someone in charge of a government body that dishes out hunting licences," Ms Faehrmann said in a statement.

"It's a bit like the roads minister saying that as a private citizen it would be okay for him to publish flyers that oppose drink-driving controls."

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